BEVERLY HILLS, October 11, (THEWILL) – Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount of Chelsea FC found the back of the net as England leapfrogged Belgium in their Nations League A Group Two match. It was a narrow victory for the Three Lions over Roberto Martinez’s side at Wembley.
England coach Gareth Southgate made nine changes to the team he fielded in the victory against Wales on Thursday night. Only Kieran Trippier and debut goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin were retained.
Southgate’s men started the game brightly and looked sharp early on. However, they found themselves behind in the 16th minute thanks to ex-Man U Romelu Lukaku. The striker buried the penalty awarded the Belgians after Eric Dier brought him down in the box. Yannick Carrasco, Atletico Madrid midfielder, had the ball in the back of the net but the goal chalked off for offside just five minutes earlier. It appeared the adventurous Belgium were threatening to run riot.
Then, England drew level. It was completely against the run of play and just before the half-time whistle. A penalty was awarded to England for Thomas Meunier’s foul on Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson. Rashford stepped up and emphatically put it away for the equalizer.
The half-time scoreline was flattering for the Three Lions and hardly reflected the performances of the half. The English defense struggled with the movement and physicality of Lukaku, and in the absence of Jack Grealish, the attack lacked bite.
But with some Southgate half-time tweaking, there was an immediate improvement to their play. It yielded rewards in the 64th-minute when Mount’s deflected effort gave England the lead.
Chances for both teams to add to their haul came and went begging. Carrasco let a chance to restore parity and put his name on the goal-scorers list slip and substitute Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Rashford could not convert gilt-edged opportunities late on.
In the end it mattered little as Southgate’s side continued their unbeaten run this calendar year to move atop of the group with seven points after three games played, with Belgium a point behind.
THEWILL believes England can find comfort in the depth of quality in their squad and build on their performances so far. Belgium will have to be more clinical going forward.
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