Gloria's Scoop

Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard struck at either end of their Play-off for Third Place with England to secure bronze at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - their best-ever performance at the global finals.

France continue their brilliant showing as they avoided falling into Belgium's trap. After the Red Devils had dominated the first half, largely thanks to an awesome Eden Hazard, France took responsibility and controlled the match in the second. Didier Deschamps's team has many faces to it, but they are all smiling now. Samuel Umtiti's headed winner has returned France to the FIFA World Cup™ Final for the third time in 20 years, sealing a 1-0 win over Belgium in Saint Petersburg.

While Belgium took the lead with a combination of fortune and their attacking skill, the Brazilians were calmer in possession after half-time, played their game and stifled the Belgians. Nevertheless,  A Seleção  were simply not clinical enough in front of goal to convert their chances – and were not helped by a superb performance from Courtois. Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring goal against Brazil Belgium beat Brazil 2-1 in Kazan to set the first semi-final of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in stone, and booking their return to the final four for the first time in three decades. A Seleção  seized control of the match in the first half, seeing Thiago Silva’s effort hit the post, as the Red Devils rode their luck while relying on the counter-attack. The Belgians were ahead against the run of play after Fernandinho, replacing the suspended Casemiro, deviated a flicked-on corner into his own net. There was nothing fortunate about the European side’s second. Rem...

It’s a very disappointing result for Japan, having gone two goals up. Everything seemed to be under control, but an error by goalkeeper Kawashima led to the first goal. From that moment on, the team lost the tempo and rhythm of the match. They quickly conceded the equaliser, before the cruellest of third goals. Belgium celebrate victory after disappointing result Belgium’s team of stars demonstrated their strength of character by coming back fr om two goals down to claim victory over Japan in a wild game at the Rostov Arena.

With both teams already through to the Round of 16 before a ball had been kicked and relatively little riding on this encounter, the England and Belgium coaches rang the changes compared to their previous fixtures.

Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard each scored twice and substitute Michy Batshuayi added a deserved fifth as Belgium cruised past Tunisia to edge closer to a place in the Round of 16. Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring goal against Tunisia Lukaku's clinically taken brace, coming in the wake of a double against Panama in the Red Devils' opening match, established him as Belgium’s most prolific scorer at a single FIFA World Cup. 

Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard each scored twice and substitute Michy Batshuayi added a deserved fifth as Belgium cruised past Tunisia to edge closer to a place in the Round of 16. Belgium Vs. Tunisia Lukaku's clinically taken brace, coming in the wake of a double against Panama in the Red Devils' opening match, established him as Belgium’s most prolific scorer at a single FIFA World Cup.