ENGLAND will NOT be at the Nations League finals next summer after losing 2-0 to Belgium.
Though Jack Grealish’s starring performance tonight was a glimmer of hope for boss Gareth Southgate.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
England fell short when they needed to pull out a win to keep their Nations League hopes alive.
As for Belgium, they’re one point from booking their place in next summers finals.
A win or a draw against Denmark should do the job, but if they lose, Denmark take top spot.
England face Iceland next week in what is now a pointless fixture.
Goodnight!
LIONS OUT
Unlucky England were KO’d from the Nations League as group leaders Belgium hit a dodgy double to clinch victory inside the first 23 minutes.
READ MORE: BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND MATCH REPORT
SOUTHGATE SPEAKS
England boss Gareth Southgate spoke to Sky after the game: “The scoreline does feel harsh. We don’t like losing football matches but I’ve got to give enormous credit to the players.
“Right the way through the game we created problems with the ball and defended resiliently. I feel we were excellent.
“We had a different profile of players in attack – we lost a lot of speed up front without Raheem and Marcus – but I can’t fault the attacking play.
“I thought Jack had an absolutely outstanding game. We created far more opportunities than we did against Belgium at Wembley.
“I saw somebody with the bravery to play [Grealish], which I knew I would.
“He took the ball in tight areas, his technique was good, he took players out of the game; and we knew he would buy a lot of free-kicks.
“I just thought he was outstanding. He should be absolutely delighted with the way he played.
“I thought Bukayo also showed a lot of maturity and quality on the ball. Although we are out of the competition, there were a lot of plusses for us today.”
TWITTER REACTS
It’s safe to say, Jack Grealish was England’s best player tonight.
KANE SPEAKS
England captain Harry Kane spoke to Sky after tonight’s disappointing loss: “I think we were dominant today and were unlucky to concede the two goals.
“The first was a deflection and I don’t think the second was a foul. From there we dominated but we couldn’t find the end product.
“If we play like this going forward we’ll win the majority of our games.
“Mase and Jack are really good on the ball, turning defenders and playing one-twos on the edge of the box.
“I really like playing with Jack – you can see his quality on the ball, one against one, and he’s always looking for a forward pass which is great for a striker.”
TABLE CHECK
England are looking miserable in third.
Denmark’s late winner against Iceland puts them three points ahead of England and within two of Belgium.
It all goes down to the clash between Belgium and Denmark next week to see who will be progressing to the Nations League finals.
FULL-TIME STATS
England managed to hold on to the majority of possession in the second half, but much like the first half they didn’t really use it.
Belgium were happy to sit back, invite pressure and then hit England on the counter attack – conceding the two early goals allowed them to do that.
England continued to use Jack Grealish as their main outlet, they based 42.7 per cent of their attacks down the left-hand side.
England had 16 attempts but only managed to register three of those on target. Woeful.
FT: BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
Belgium manage to hold firm securing all three points, they have their revenge for last months defeat at Wembley.
England pushed for goals in the second half but ultimately came up short when it mattered.
Jack Grealish is the only positive from tonight’s game, he was the one player who looked dangerous in the final third and he’s proved he can be of use to Southgate.
Southgate does need to address some issues within the team, they’re looking rather flat a times.
Belgium will have to wait a little longer to confirm their place in next summer’s Nations League finals.
Iceland did equalise late on, but Eriksen restored Denmark’s lead minutes later scoring from the penalty spot.
PEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL-TIME!
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
90+1. De Bruyne is furious with Lukaku, he was in open space at the back post but Lukaku went for goal.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
CHANCE!
90. Tielemans plays a lovely ball into the path of Lukaku, the former United forward brings the ball down well and drives towards goal.
He beats Mings effortlessly and smashes a shot wide of the far post!
YOU SHALL NOT PASS
Roberto Martinez has his side well drilled, every time England get inside their penalty area, a sea of red close down any shooting opportunity.
Credit: Getty Images
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
87. Grealish plays a clever pass into Kane, he twists and turns hoping to find an opening but everybody but Lukaku was back inside the penalty area for Belgium.
In other news, Iceland have equalised against Denmark and as it stands, Belgium qualify for the Nations League finals tonight.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
84. Grealish drives at the Belgium backline again and plays a lovely disguised pass in behind for Saka to run onto.
Saka pulls the ball back to the edge of the six yard box for Kane but Alderweireld sticks a foot in.
The ball breaks back to Saka inside the penalty area, he knocks the ball past Witsel and goes to ground appealing for a penalty – the referee dismisses his claim.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
83. England haven’t really looked like scoring, it’s been a poor attacking display from Southgate’s men.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
80. Rice plays the ball into Sancho on the right-hand side, the winger holds play up allowing Walker to overlap.
Sancho passes the ball to Walker, the right-back drives to the by-line and hangs a cross up in the air, but Courtois being the man-mountain he is comfortably catches the ball.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
79. Mings manages to break up a dangerous Belgium attack and play it to his Aston Villa team-mate Jack Grealish.
Grealish senses Meunier breathing down his neck and he delicately flicks the ball over his shoulder sending the right-back for a hotdog.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
77. Rice intercepts Witsel’s pass into Tielemans and plays the ball into the feet of Kane.
Witsel catches Kane flat-footed and sets De Bruyne off running the other way as Belgium search for a third which would secure all three points.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
SAVE!
76. Mertens is picked out by Lukaku inside the penalty area, the goal-scorer gets to the by-line and plays the ball back into Lukaku who shoots straight at Pickford!
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
73. Rice intercepts play inside the opposition half, he tries to slips Grealish through on goal but his pass is wayward.
Grealish manages to keep the ball in play and he plays the ball back to Saka to reset from the back.
SEA OF RED
A sea of red shirts surrounded Kane the minute he found some space.
Credit: Getty Images
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
69. Kane receives the ball with his back to goal, he holds Witsel off well and plays the ball wide to Grealish.
Grealish and Saka combine down the left-hand side but soon run into trouble.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
68. Double change for England, Sancho and Calvert-Lewin are on for Trippier and Mount.
Walker has moved over into the right-back position.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
66. Grealish feeds Saka down the line, the youngster hesitates delivering a first-time cross into the box allowing Kane to play catch-up.
He takes a touch to set himself and tries to whip a cross in but it is blocked by Witsel.
BELGIUM 2-0 ENGLAND
65. Play is back underway and Trippier is back on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
