Belgium Tops England in a Knockabout

Russia seemed to get most of what they wanted in this World Cup.

But what else is new with those dudeskis these days?

Their side got the typical soft group and they're in the bracket. But there's one puzzler in all of the arrangements.

How in the name of kompromat did they allow England to wind up in Kaliningrad for a match?

 

Seems that in 2016, while Russia was getting World Cup stadiums operative, it was doing the same thing with a huge nuclear bunker in this little enclave.

What's more, in nostalgic Soviet style, officials didn't realize they created a loophole someone could drive a T-34 tank through if they really, really wanted to attend the World Cup.

That clearly worked for the English supporters.

 

Then again, maybe the Russkies know England too well.

What red-blooded son of John Bull would go snooping around for nuke clues when the top Kaliningrad strip joint is offering specials?

 

There were definitely no nukes involved when England and Belgium took the pitch.

Both sides were already in the Round of 16, so it was time for auditions.

• Roberto Martínez was resting his usual Starting XI with the exception of 'keeper Thibaut Courtois, and
• Gary Southgate gave World Cup opportunities to the younger English generation, as well.

The Three Lions were definitely the superior subs, as it were, in the first half, but it was clear more than once this wasn't the A-Team:

 

They did create a few chances from the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and this one from Marcus Rashford, if you want to call it a chance:

 

Looks like it's beyond crucial that Harry Kane doesn't get hurt.

Belgium's best chance in the first 45 was with Michy Batshuayi as well as this effort by call-up -- and future of Belgian football -- Youri Tielemans:

 

It was more of the same after the intermission, and why wouldn't it be?

England's newbies showed signs of jelling, trying to find spaces to score, but the Belgian defense and, mainly, Courtois were saving Martínez's side.

Then, in the 51st, Adnan Januzaj put Belgium on the board with a curling high ball. Jordan Pickford had no chance:

 

With the 0-1 result to Belgium, both sides quickly turned their attention to more intense preparations. The Round of 16 was at hand.

And for the supporters, so was the strip club.

What happened in Kaliningrad apparently stayed in Kaliningrad. Hopefully, that'll apply to the nukes, too.