World Cup Match Moments: Day 24

The consolation game, the bronze-medal match, the half-hearted fight for third place. Playing the World Cup's penultimate and least popular contest Saturday in St. Petersburg, England and Belgium could have packed it in. Instead, it turned into a valedictory of sorts for some of the tournament's best players, who wished they were playing Sunday in Moscow but put on a display nonetheless.

There was Eden Hazard, marshalling Belgium's midfield, setting up his teammates and finishing one off himself. There was Jordan Pickford, the where'd-he-come-from England goalkeeper polishing off a fine performance in Russia with a few more spectacular saves. At the end of it, there was Belgium, arguably the most talented side in the field, which saw its 10th different player score as it took home a 2-0 win and its best-ever finish at the World Cup.

Not a bad consolation prize.

Belgium's Thomas Meunier (15) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. Belgium defeats England 2-0. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Belgium's Thomas Meunier, left, scores his side's opening goal against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as England's Danny Rose tries to defend during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Fans cheer during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

England's Harry Kane reacts during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, right, controls the ball besides England's John Stones during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Belgium's Eden Hazard, right, is pursued by England's Jesse Lingard as he runs with the ball during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

England's Marcus Rashford lies on the ground during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stops a scoring attempt by Belgium's Romelu Lukaku during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

England's Phil Jones left controls a ball in front of Belgium's Jan Vertonghen during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Belgium's Eden Hazard runs in celebration after scoring his side's second goal during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

England players look on as Belgium is recognized as the third place winner after defeating England in the third place match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

England's Harry Kane reacts after the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Team Belgium pose after the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, talks to Belgium coach Roberto Martinez after the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Belgium players salute the fans after defeating England in the third place match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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