Romelu Lukaku shines at each ends, Ben Chilwell injured

England’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the Nations League have diminished as they suffered a 2-Zero defeat at Belgium.

First-half objectives from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens sealed the win for the world’s no.1 ranked facet on an evening the place England had all types of again luck.

Tielemans’ objective went in-off the put up after taking a double deflection, whereas Mertens scored with a free-kick  thatshouldn’t have been given.

England got here near scoring on numerous events – Harry Kane may have had three. His finest probability noticed Purple Devils striker Romelu Lukaku make a heroic objective line clearance.

In the meantime, Chelsea followers might be sweating on the health of Ben Chilwell, who went off with a again harm within the first half.

On the intense facet, Jack Grealish confirmed his class as soon as once more as he precipitated the Belgians all kinds of issues, significantly within the second half the place England pinned the hosts again.

A 2-Zero scoreline tends to recommend a cushty match for the victors, but it surely was something however.

England appeared the extra threatening when the impasse was damaged, however Belgium acquired that luck typically wanted in matches like these as Tielemans’ drive deflected off each Declan Rice and Tyrone Mings earlier than beating Jordan Pickford – replays confirmed the ball truly grazed Pickford’s gloves to make the objective extra agonising.

England responded properly with Grealish’s goalbound effort requiring a final ditch intervention from Toby Alderweireld.

However Gareth Southgate might be questioning how they weren’t degree from the ensuing nook as Kane rose brilliantly and beat Thibaut Courtois however the effort was brilliantly cleared off the road by Lukaku – this coming a minute after the striker supplied the help for Tielemans’ objective.

Loads of issues to be inspired by however on 23 minutes England had been 2-Zero down as Mertens curled the ball superbly over the wall from the sting of the field. The free-kick took place when Rice was adjudged to have fouled Kevin De Bruyne, nonetheless, the West Ham man appeared to win the ball.

Kane went shut once more simply earlier than half time as he shifted his toes properly however his shot from an acute angle was saved by Courtois.

England had been even higher after the break as they pinned Roberto Martinez’s facet again all through the second half. Kane had an ideal probability on 57 minutes as he latched onto Mason Mount’s cheeky flick however the captain couldn’t fairly dig the ball out of his toes and the save for Courtois was comparatively snug.

Their possession dominance wouldn’t yield any objectives however there have been positives to take, together with Grealish’s fantastic efficiency – his finest second seeing him ghost previous Thomas Meunier with a pleasant piece of talent.