Gareth Southgate defends decision to rest key players in England defeat

England manager Gareth Southgate has defended his decision to rest a raft of first-choice players as the Three Lions’ lost to Belgium in their final group game.

England knew that if they avoided defeat they would almost certainly top Group E, but Adnan Januzaj’s stunner ensured Belgium topped the group and will face Japan in the Round of 16.

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Instead, the Three Lions have been sent to the other side of the knockout draw and will face Colombia on Tuesday but – assuming they beat Fifa’s 16th-ranked country – will avoid a quarter final match up against Brazil or Mexico.

Southgate defended his decision to make eight changes to the side which beat Panama 6-1 and left captain and top-scorer Harry Kane on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy were handed their first starts of tournament, and Southgate brought on Danny Welbeck as he chased a late equaliser.

“This was a game we wanted to win but the knockout game is the biggest game for a decade for us so needed to make sure our key players were reserved,” he told ITV after the match.

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“It was a good test for us. Of course we had double objectives tonight with half an eye on the knockout.

“I think it was a pretty even game. They had better controlled possession than us at times and they had the best chances in the first half.

“We had some good ones in the second half. It didn’t happen for Rashford tonight but we don’t suffer for it. The good thing with him and Jamie Vardy was they kept working and looking for those openings.

Southgate was unconcerned about the loss potentially halting England’s momentum after two straight wins as “momentum shifts in games”.

“We kept pressing until the end. I think the supporters understand what the most important thing is.

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“The players tonight gave everything. We have seen the level everyone has been playing at, we can see the level of some of the bench and need to keep improving.

“We want to win football matches so we’re not happy to come away being beaten. What that means for the next round, we don’t really know.”