England’s matches at the 2018 World Cup

A look back at England’s route to the third-place play-off.

England missed a chance to end their memorable World Cup adventure on a high and become the best ever team to leave English shores as they lost their third-place play-off against Belgium 2-0.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at how they fared in Russia.

June 18, Group G, Volgograd: Tunisia 1 England 2

June 24, Group G, Nizhny Novgorod: England 6 Panama 1

There was no such drama second time around as England, aided by some strong refereeing from Egypt’s Gehad Grisha, raced into a 5-0 lead by half-time, with central defender John Stones helping himself to a double and Kane matching him from the penalty spot either side of Jesse Lingard’s sumptuous strike. It was 6-0 when Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s shot was deflected home by Kane, with Felipe Baloy’s late strike unable to dampen the Three Lions’ joy at securing their passage to the last 16.

June 28, Group G, Kaliningrad: England 0 Belgium 1

Belgium’s Adnan Januzaj (left) celebrates after scoring the winner against England (Aaron Chown/PA)

July 3, last 16, Moscow: Colombia 1 England 1 (After extra-time, England win 4-3 on penalties)

Kane’s 57th-minute penalty had put his side within touching distance of victory, only for defender Yerry Mina to level with a stoppage-time header. England’s penalty shootout misery seemed set to continue when Jordan Henderson saw his effort saved by David Ospina but, after Mateus Uribe had hit the bar with Colombia’s fourth attempt, Pickford repelled Carlos Bacca’s effort to set the stage for Eric Dier to win it.

July 7, quarter-finals, Samara: Sweden 0 England 2

Harry Maguire's header set England on their way to victory over Sweden. — Harry Maguire’s header set England on their way to victory over Sweden (Owen Humphreys/PA)

July 11, semi-finals, Moscow: Croatia 2 England 1 (After extra-time)

Mario Mandzukic's extra-time goal condemned England to semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Croatia. — Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time goal condemned England to semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Croatia (Aaron Chown/PA)

July 14, third-place play-off, St Petersburg: Belgium 2 England 0

England’s unlikely World Cup adventure ended in their third defeat of the tournament. Still reeling from Wednesday’s semi-final heartbreak – Southgate admitted it was a game no team wants to play in – this offered the chance for his side to become the second-best in the country’s history at the end of a summer that will live long in the memory. But Thomas Meunier gave Belgium an early lead and although the Three Lions produced a much-improved second-half display, Eden Hazard sealed the bronze medal for Belgium with the game-clinching goal in the 82nd minute.