Actually, the small finale is referred to as the game around the “Golden Pineapple”. But the match between England and Belgium will be an eye-catcher. Because there is still something to win – not only for the two teams.

Aebe it a trophy for third place at a FIFA World Cup, it would be the proverbial “Golden Pineapple”. The annoying family member in the shadow of the big World Cup trophy, with which no one likes sitting at a table during a boisterous celebration. But now it is there, the “small finale”, as the penultimate tournament game is called revalent – and has invited England and Belgium to their last dance across the green grass in the Krestowski Stadium in St. Petersburg.

“To be honest, this is a game that no team wants to play,” England coach Gareth Southgate said aptly. “I’m not in the mood for third place,” said Philipp Lahm in 2010 after the German semi-final against Spain. And his longtime Bayern team-mate Arjen Robben expected four years later with the game: “This game they can abolish from me.”

But the factual situation promises an exciting match – under curious auspices. For England and Belgium meet in Russia for the second time on each other: In the preliminary round, the two teams already qualified for the knockout stages delivered a tough game on the final group match day. In the field: The second row of the World Cup squad , while both coaches spare their top performers for the knockout phase. Belgium finally won 1-0, securing the group win and sending England into the supposedly easier tournament.