All the lack of sleep, the football exhaustion is almost over but not before the ultimate who cares games of England v Belgium Third v Fourth Place Playoff gets the ultimate Who Cares treatment. We have also gone through sport’s other Who Cares games in another piece.
For those who aren’t into football, or don’t have enough time to get to know the details about this game, please accept our Who Cares Guide to the England v Belgium Third v Fourth Place Playoff.
Throughout the World Cup we have been trying to follow every game (to the detriment of our health), and pass on what we know with our Who Cares guides, now it is the ultimate Who Cares game.
So we offer some who cares thoughts on the who cares England v Belgium Third v Fourth Place Playoff. Or ignore them, it would be perfectly acceptable. But you may be missing the tournament’s best game. But
SUN 4:00 (AEST) – England v Belgium Third v Fourth Place Playoff
HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
For England it is not as much the trophy coming home but the team coming home without it, and before they leave they have this third v fourth playoff to deal with.
Despite breaking pre-tournament expectations, and doing the country proud, there is still a feeling of frustration a few days later about England’s loss to Croatia. Being 1-0 up so early ended up being the worst thing to happen to England as they stopped playing football, allowing Croatia’s experience in the midfield start to take over.
Running the ball to the corner flag around the 60th minute screams of a team running out of ideas.
In saying that, they did a fine job to get that far, and if you look back on their results and the teams they faced it is probably a fair enough ending. But certainly lost opportunity that may never come around again, or in this generation.
Belgium have looked impressive at times, but were controlled well by France in the semi final, despite their arsenal of attacking weapons. They could very well have been knocked out by Japan in the Round of 16, coming from 2-0 down to seal the win 3-2. But they impressed greatly against Brazil, a performance that made them look like potential champions.
Unlike England, who most of their team will probably feature in four years time, this is the golden generation for Belgian football, and who knows how many of the current stars will be around and useful for the 2022 showcase.
So like England, it is a missed opportunity that may happen again.
This is a replay of the Group G game from earlier in the tournament, where both teams didn’t want to win so they could have an easier path through the finals. Funny then, that they both went out at the same stage.
This game be three times better than the previous minimum, with the best players involved, otherwise FIFA should bin this match all together.
Thankfully they rarely boring, so happy days ahead.
2018 WORLD CUP RECORD
ENGLAND – 2nd Group G – 6pts +5
G1 – England 2 Tunisia 1
G2 – England 6 Panama 1
G3 – Belgium 1 England 0
R16 – England 1 Colombia 1 (won 4-3 pens)
QF – England 2 Sweden 0
SF – Croatia 2 England 1
England were the only team of the semi finalist to lose a game in the group stages, but they did post the biggest win of the World Cup.
BELGIUM – 1st Group 6 – 9pts – GD +7
G1 – Belgium 3 Panama 0
G2 – Belgium 5 Tunisia 2
G3 – Belgium 1 England 0
R16 – Belgium 3 Japan 2
QF – Belgium 2 Brazil 1
SF – France 1 Belgium 0
Belgium were the only side at the semi finals who had won every game in regulation time at this year’s World Cup. Have scored the most goals at the World Cup with 14.
WHO CARES HISTORY STATS
Head to Head – England 3 Belgium 2 Draw 2
Last Match – Belgium 1 England – 2018 WC Group Stage
Second last Match – England 1 Belgium 0 – 2012 Friendly
WHO CARES HISTORY – YOU MIGHT….THIRD v FOURTH PLACE RECORD
2014 – Holland 3 Brazil 0
2010 – Germany 3 Uruguay 2
2006 – Germany 3 Portugal 1
2002 – Turkey 3 South Korea 2
1998 – Croatia 2 Holland 1
1994 – Sweden 4 Bulgaria 0
1990 – Italy 2 England 1
1986 – France 4 Belgium 2 (et)
1982 – Poland 3 France 2
1978 – Brazil 2 Italy 1
1974 – Poland 1 Brazil 0
1970 – Germany 1 Uruguay 0
1966 – Portugal 2 USSR 1
1962 – Chile 1 Yugoslavia 0
1958 – France 6 Germany 3
1954 – Austria 3 Uruguay 1
1950 – Sweden 3 Spain 1
1938 – Brazil 4 Sweden 2
1934 – Germany 3 Austria 2
1930 – No 3rd v 4th Playoff
Just a casual 3.9 goals scored per playoff. With Kane (6 Currently) v Lukaku (4) going for Golden Boot, may the goals rain, and reign.
Germany/West Germany have won this match four times, and it has featured no less than 19 teams in all.
HOW CAN THEY WIN
Hopefully either side win by playing the best players and by scoring shitload of goals, and the defensive side of the game is thrown out the window.
However if it comes down to it, England have slightly the better forward in Kane, but Belgium have by far the better midfield. Both defenses and goalkeepers are about equal. So it comes down to whether Hazard and de Bruyne can dominate the midfield and Lukaku can take advantage. After last game it appeared as if Harry Kane was either well off the pace or slightly injured. So there goes their only advantage if true.
We could have learned so much from their Group G game if anyone could have been bothered playing.
All of this depends on the best teams playing and if they don’t who cares.
WHO CARES FOR A BET?
RESULT (90mins) – England $3.10 Belgium $2.25 Draw $3,65
To Finish Third – England $2.25 Belgium $1.62
WIN in EXTRA TIME – England $19 Belgium $12.00
WIN on PENALTIES – England $11 Belgium $11
OUR BEST BET – Belgium to win AND 5 or more goals @ $6
WHO CARES WHAT WE THINK?
What we think will happen…
Belgium go ballistic and score three first half goals. After which England start scoring plenty themselves and it ends up 4-2.
What will probably happen..
Both sides play squad players, the game is awful and there is perhaps a goal in the last 15 minutes.
WHO SHOULD A NEUTRAL SUPPORT THEN?
ENGLAND IF YOU….
Want to make Harry Kane smile.
Sing want to sing about a third place medal coming home.
Feel sorry for the English or have family connections.
You’re a fan of any one the English player’s EPL clubs.
Can’t wait to see a parade of third place winning tattoos.
For some reason, you’ve just always hated Antwerp.
Like to throw beer in the air with every goal.
Take offense to the major case of sour grapes from Eden Hazard after their loss to France.
You love a good waistcoat.
You’re an Everton fan who hated Martinez and wants to see him lose.
Are pro Brexit.
BELGIUM IF YOU…..
You’re a fan of any one the Belgian player’s EPL clubs.
Were a fan of F1 pilot Thierry Boutsen
Are a fan of high quality afros.
Love a bit of Hazard (Eden not the Richard Marx song)
Would love to see Fellaini do something spectacular.
Want to see goals.
You are really bitter and want to really rub it in if they don’t win this one.
Liked that movie In Bruges.
Can’t wait to see Dele Alli subbed off at the 67th minute.
Know that losing will probably annoy Lewis Hamilton.
Are anti Brexit.
