Cheer up! England fans are dismayed as Three Lions lose 1-0 to Belgium but they'll still go through to next round (and won't have to play Brazil before the final)

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The Three Lions slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in the final fixture of Group G this evening, in what was an open and competitive game, despite both managers resting key players.

The loss sets up a crunch clash against Colombia next week and - possibly - an easier route to the semi-final.

Fans across the country - and a few WAGS, including Rebecca Vardy - had enjoyed a lively summer session by enjoying a few drinks in the sun as World Cup fever grew following the 6-1 rout of Panama last week. 

But a left foot wonder strike from former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj was enough to split the difference, and meant Belgium topped the group, sending England through as runners up. 

Ironically however, England could benefit from the defeat, facing an arguably easier run, with Colombia in the Round of 16, followed potentially by Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-finals - before Spain, Russia, Croatia or Denmark in the semi-finals. 

While Belgium, who are expected to sweep past Japan in the next round, could potentially hit the skids against World Cup juggernauts Brazil in the quarter finals afterwards.

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The Three Lions slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in the final fixture of Group G this evening, in what was an open and competitive game, despite both managers resting key players

The loss sets up a crunch clash against Colombia next week and - possibly - an easier route to the semi-final

1-0: A left foot wonder strike from former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj was enough to split the difference and meant Belgium topped the group, sending England through as runners up

Defeat: Ironically however, England could benefit from the defeat, facing an arguably easier run, with Colombia in the Round of 16, followed potentially by Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-finals - before Spain , Russia , Croatia or Denmark in the semi-finals

On the bright side: Belgium, who are expected to sweep past Japan in the next round, could potentially hit the skids against World Cup juggernauts Brazil in the quarter finals 

England's Ruben Loftus-Cheek (left) and Gary Cahill (right) appear dejected following the defeat

Marcus Rashford, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire and Gary Cahill chew the fat following the loss

But, optimistically, England defender Harry Maguire said following the defeat: ‘If you had said we’d get to the knockout stages early in, we would have taken it. ‘ 

Asked if he would have preferred Japan or Colombia, he said: ‘Now we have got there we have to focus on ourselves. 

‘We are a good team, we know that and we are confident, if we play like we did in the first two games, we are capable of winning.’ 

Fans across the country were pictured in party mode with outdoor fan zones set up in London, Nottingham and Brighton, while celebrities including actor Keith Allen snapped enjoying the action with fellow pub goers. 

Following the defeat, England fans outside the stadium had their say on the match, with one watcher, Alex Morten, 45, of Hammersmith explaining: ‘I’m old school. I want England to win every game and never come second.

‘There’s no easy route to the final. I’m gutted we have just been beaten. We can still do it. But England need to field a proper team. Not the B team.’ 

While Steve Jenkins, a painter of Harlow, said as he walked out of the stadium: ‘England would never be defeated without a fight. 

'We had our chances and if we had taken them we’d have been happier. But we put up a good show.’ 

Les Parker, 62, of Walsall said: ‘The England fans were great and sang all the way. 

‘You have to remember that after two matches in Brazil at the last World Cup we had been eliminated. 

‘That’s not the case tonight. I’ll be in Moscow when we play Colombia and keep believing. Come on England!’ 

Fans across the country - and a few WAGS, including Rebecca Vardy - had enjoyed a lively summer session by enjoying a few drinks in the sun as World Cup fever grew following the 6-1 rout of Panama last week 

'Bartender... I said Vindaloo!' Keith Allen pictured enjoying a celebration with fans during the match

It's coming home! One England fan nails his colours to the mast as England and Belgium battle it out in midfield

Fans cheer on Southgate's Three Lions at Flat Iron Square this evening

England fans in Kaliningrad are preparing ahead of tonight's match against Belgium, follow the team's 6-1 win against Panama 

Millions of spectators were left disappointed after Gareth Southgate made eight changes to the starting squad, leaving a number of big name players out of the team.

Fan favourites Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane were all left sat on the bench.

Only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, midfielder Reuben Loftus-Cheek and defender John Stones were in the starting eleven - having played in the second qualifying game against Panama last Sunday afternoon.

Harry Kane watched the game from the sidelines as Southgate opted against throwing his captain and leading scorer on in search of an equaliser.

Southgate admitted he would have used the Tottenham Hotspurs player had England needed to win the match.

Speaking on ITV after the match, he said: ‘Of course. This is a game we wanted to win but the knockout game is the biggest game for a decade for us, so we’ve got to make sure our key players were preserved.

‘We want to win football matches so of course we’re not happy to come away from here having been beaten, but what that means for the next round we don’t really know.’

England supporters in the Flat Iron Square pub in London react to events in Kaliningrad

Get round the back! Southgate barks instructions to his England team - currently trailing 1-0 to Belgium

The Family of Gareth Southgate support him at the Belgium game

English football seats are lining the ground in Russia with St George's cross flags celebrating different regions across England 

It's coming home: Mrs Vardy was all smiles as she entered the stadium tonight for England's crunch clash

Fans of Port Vale and Luton Town hang flags at Kaliningrad Stadium

During the game some 6,000 England fans outnumbered and out sung their Belgian counterparts in a capacity 33,973 crowd in the Kaliningrad Stadium.

Clearly enjoying the shock departure of World Champions Germany they repeatedly sang ‘ Auf Wiedersehen’ and ‘Are you Watching Germany?’

Earlier in the day some thousands of England fans prepared for game by drinking in the bars and cafes around the city’s Victory Square.

Hundreds of St George flags were hung up in the city as supporters sung the familiar ‘Football’s Coming Home’ and ‘God Save the Queen.’

Before the game some Three Lions fans wanted manager Gareth Southgate to field a weakened side in order to come second in the group and miss the tougher side of the draw.

But Southgate said he would be pursuing a ‘winning mentality’ and added: ‘We need to keep winning. We want to breed a mentality that everyone in our squad wants to constantly win.

‘We’ve not won a knockout game since 2006. So starting to plot which would be a better venue for our semi-final is beyond me, really.’

But while the win eluded England they remain in the competition and live to fight another day.

Minutes after the final whistle England fans who had travelled to Russia for the game still had faith in the ‘Three Lions’ and their chances of progressing in the tournament.

David Walsh, a 35-year-old painter and decorator from Clifton, Bristol, said: ‘I have told all my mates to keep the faith. We are still in the competition.

‘Tonight was just a bump in the road - we can still do something in this tournament.’

England players family and friends in the crowd as WAG Rebekah Vardy sits centre stage England v Belgium

Fans are pictured singing as England prepares to play Belgium in tonight's World Cup feature following Germany being kicked out of the competition 

In a break from the norm, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage wants England to remain in

Megan Davison, partner of England's Jordan Pickford, in the stands before the match

Good natured Belgium fans told how they hoped to meet England in the World Cup final, after their team won 1-0.

Supporters praised Gareth Southgate’s team but revelled in their 3-match victory from the group stage.

Wendy Dupont, 38, an HR consultant from Antwerp, said: ‘I’m please Belgium won. But now I hope we meet England in the final.’

British Ex-pat IT worker Terry Greenard said: ‘Of course I wanted to win but now there is a chance we can play Belgium in the final.

‘I’m pleased how Gareth Southgate has brought hope back into the nation side. We didn’t win but we played well.’

Belgium fans roared with excitement as they watched their side best England in a gard fought game.

Hundreds of supporters backed a purpose-built fan zone on the banks of the river Scheldt in Antwerp.

Dozens of others packed bars in the historic Grote Markt square to watch their country’s third match victory.

The latest win has led Belgium fans to believe their team has its best ever chance of World Cup glory.

One said: ‘We can do it! With Germany out, Argentina in a mess and Brazil stalling this is our best chance to win the World Cup.’

10 Downing Street: The St George's cross has been hung outside of the Prime Minister's house in support of England

The girls discuss tactics in Kaliningrad Stadium where Jamie Vardy will line up alongside Man United starlet Marcus Rashford

Belgium fans cheer prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between England

'The crosses of St George are flying... Gareth Southgate the whole of England is with you...'

Supporters of England eagerly await tonight's fixture against the Belgium team in Kaliningrad, Russia 

English fans drink next to St George's crosses and Union Jacks ahead of the teams match against Belgium tonight 

England and Belgium fans together in Kaliningrad today before the World Cup Group G match

Belgium fan Caroline Prin-Derre and England fan Rachel Pearse from London (left), and a Belgium fan with sunglasses and a hat in his country's colours (right) are in Kaliningrad today

Nikki McKenna, 29, donned a dress in the colours of the St George's flag as she looked forward to tonight's match in Kaliningrad

England fans enjoy the day in Kaliningrad before the final Group G match against Belgium

Local mothers in Kaliningrad pose in front of a Union Jack flag ahead of tonight's match

Belgium fans put on a colourful show ahead of the World Cup football match tonight

A Belgium fan poses at the stadium before the match that will decide the winners of Group G

Jamie Vardy (left) is set to start, and with Gareth Southgate eager to give Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck time on the pitch, there is doubt over captain Harry Kane's (right) inclusion

Jamie Vardy's wife Rebekah posted this picture on Instagram of her wearing an England shirt

England fans make the most of their time in Kaliningrad ahead of the final Group G match

England and Belgium fans in Kaliningrad look forward to the World Cup match this evening

England fans talk in Kaliningrad ahead of the final group G match against Belgium tonight

England fans sit on the grass in Kaliningrad as they prepare for the match against Belgium

An England fan poses for a photograph ahead of the match at the 2018 World Cup tonight

England supporters pose with a St George's flag in Kaliningrad before the match tonight

Thousands of fans have flown out to Kaliningrad for the match at the 2018 World Cup

England and Belgium fans enjoy the hours leading up to the final Group G match tonight

Flags from Chesterfield, Derby County and Bolton Wanderers are among those on display 

England fans in Kaliningrad enjoy a drink before the final group G match this evening

England fans in Kaliningrad stand in front of an Aston Villa flag ahead of tonight's game

 Belgium fans outside the stadium before the match that takes place in Kaliningrad

An England fan wears the team's change colours of red ahead of the match in Kaliningrad

Huge numbers of England fans gather on the grass in Kaliningrad before the football tonight

England fans stand next a flag saying: 'England expects that every man will do his duty'

An England fan sports a headscarf and St George's flags on his face in Kaliningrad today

Earlier in the day, England fans discussed their hopes for the match, with one, Ian Wilson, 50, Bristol, explaining: 'I followed England all over the world and I had to come here. It's just in my blood and I'm here with my mates from Bristol and we think we're going all the way in this World Cup.'  

His friend Derek Batten, 70, said: 'There's such a great feeling along the England supporters here. England doesn't expect this time and that's taken a lot off the pressure from the team. Every win is a bonus and that way we can make play football the way we want. '  

Jessica Thomas, an accounts assistant, 27, of Oldham, said : 'I back England to do it tonight and keep their confidence high. 'I know the whole county will be watching on TV tonight. I'm so lucky to be here. I can't believe it. I have to pinch myself.'

A Belgium fan poses with a Marouane Fellaini-style wig next to an England fan

The St George's flag is flown in Kaliningrad today as fans gather ahead of the Group G match

England fans enjoy a beer in the sunshine ahead of the World Cup group match tonight 

England fans from Bristol with their club name in Russian at Victory Square in Kaliningrad

An England and Leicester City fan shows off his huge tattoo in Kaliningrad today

A girl shows off her support for England with a St George's Cross on her face in Kaliningrad

England fans enjoy a beer ahead of the World Cup match in Kaliningrad tonight

BOLD ENGLAND FAN GETS WORLD CUP WINNERS TATTOO - THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE FINAL  

Jamie Richardson has had the words 'England 2018 World Cup Winners' inked on his stomach three weeks before the final

One fan is so assured England will win the World Cup that he got a tattoo etched on his stomach - three weeks before the final.

Carpet fitter Jamie Richardson has had the words 'England 2018 World Cup Winners' inked on his belly alongside an image of the cup.

The father-of-one, from Allerton Bywater in west Yorkshire, said he has 'no doubt' England will win. 

The Leeds United fan said: 'I've not just got it done willy-nilly, I totally and truthfully believe we're going to do it. 

'It just came to me like a premonition.'

The 32-year-old has also pledged to carry an England flag around permanently, and said if he is caught without it he will pay £20 to charity

Mr Richardson phoned ten tattoo shops before he found someone who would carry out the work. 

He avoided telling his girlfriend about his new artwork and only told her after he'd had it done.

The 32-year-old has also pledged to carry an England flag around permanently, and said if he is caught without it he will pay £20 to charity. 

Many fans felt England should play to win the match, despite the fact England have not won a knockout game since the World Cup in 2006.

But Belgium boss Roberto Martinez reportedly favours a second-place finish and is expected to rest players.

Belgium fan Mark Moors, 50, of Brussels, said he agreed with his national team's manager and preferred a draw.

He said: 'For tomorrow I hope it will be a good game because I'm afraid second place may be better in the group. Because of the next rounds and the opposing teams you are going to meet.

'All players with a yellow card and with minor injuries, they will not play. It's going to be six or seven players. I think it's logic. Maybe the English team are thinking the same thing but they are not expressing it like us.'

He added he was concerned about the prowess of England captain Kane, who is the tournament's top scorer with five goals so far. 'Kane can hurt us,' he said. 

'But I think it's the same like Belgium they have a great attack and then the defence there might be some weakness. Kane is strong, he has confidence right now, he wants to be the top scorer. That's the guy we fear.'

England fans are expected to turn out in greater numbers for the match, nicknamed the 'Brexit Derby', after one leading fan group estimated the turnout for the first game against Tunisia was the lowest travelling support for 30 years.

A Seasons Scaffolding team put up an eight-storey flag on Albany Towers in Hove, East Sussex

England fans in a bar in Kaliningrad yesterday ahead of the match against Belgium tonight

Thousands of England football fans are expected to travel to Kaliningrad for tonight's game

Police monitor English football fans in a bar in Kaliningrad ahead of the Belgium match

A Belgium fan in a bar in Kaliningrad, as supporters prepare for the Group G decider tonight

England manager Gareth Southgate (left) and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez (right) yesterday

A view of the Kaliningrad Stadium where England will play Belgium in the World Cup tonight

The flag of St George flies above 10 Downing Street today in support of the England team

And Will Tomlinson, 34, from Retford, in Nottinghamshire, said he hoped for an English influx as the team progressed through the tournament.

He said: 'We've got loads of friends who were umming and ahhing whether to come. We want to see every England fan coming over, especially now we are playing well.'