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Football England vs
Belgium - LIVE! England look to return to winning ways as they host Belgium in a friendly at Wembley tonight. The Three Lions failed to impress over the weekend, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, and a positive performance is needed here as Euro 2024 increasingly comes into focus. Gareth Southgate has plenty of injury problems to contend with, after Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker picked up issues against
Brazil and subsequently returned to their clubs. Ivan Toney is set to be handed his first England start tonight, while Kobbie Mainoo could make his full debut. Declan Rice will captain the side, in England’s final match before the squad for this summer’s Euros is named. Belgium were held to a goalless draw by the Republic of
Ireland last time out, as they continue their own preparations. Romelu Lukaku is in contention to come into the side tonight, but Kevin De Bruyne misses out with a groin strain. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia and Dom Smith at Wembley! England vs Belgium latest news Live updates The Three Lions have been out for an early look at the pitch at Wembley. Declan Rice says he was left “speechless” after being asked to captain England for the first time on the occasion of his 50th cap. Regular captain Harry Kane has returned to Bayern Munich for treatment on an ankle injury, while Kyle Walker, who led the side in Saturday’s friendly defeat to Brazil, limped off after 20 minutes and has now gone back to
Manchester City. With a number of other senior players, including the likes of Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier and Harry Maguire, also sidelined, Southgate has instead handed Rice the armband in the latest sign of his growing importance to the Three Lions. "I’m speechless, to be honest, absolutely lost for words,” the
Arsenal midfielder said. “When [Southgate] said to me last night I was going to be captain, I gave him a hug, shook his hand and said: ‘thank you very much’. “I owe him a lot. Since I first came into the team, he’s always made me feel at home. I’ve felt so comfortable playing under him and I’ve really grown in confidence. On my 50th cap, to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and
Friends, it’s an absolute honour.” England will have a different look about them for the second half tonight. Their shirts will have no names on them after the break as the match has been dedicated as an ‘Alzheimer’s Society International’ as part of the Football Association (FA) and Alzheimer’s Society’s official charity partnership. The nameless shirts originally appeared at the first Alzheimer's Society International against Switzerland at Wembley in 2022, and are being repeated against Belgium. The gesture is to support the Alzheimer’s Society and in recognition of the 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. The names will disappear from the England players’ shirts when they return to the pitch after half-time against Belgium, to highlight how people with dementia lose vital memories - even the names of their favourite footballers. The custom shirts are being donated by the England squad and auctioned to raise funds to support the Alzheimer’s Society’s research into early diagnosis. Belgium are no longer the force of old and England should feel confident about getting a win. With plenty in the England side getting a rare to chance to impress, the Three Lions should be full of energy and with a point to prove. England to win 2-1. Belgium could have Romelu Lukaku back and available tonight. The striker missed the weekend draw with Ireland due to a groin problem, but he is contention to return for his country at Wembley. Kevin De Bruyne is missing, but Jeremy Doku and Amadou Onana could both feature from the off. Gareth Southgate is set to hand a number of England hopefuls a final chance to impress in tonight’s friendly with Belgium. On Sunday night, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Sam Johnstone all left the camp, following the withdrawals of Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane earlier in the international break. In better news, Southgate confirmed
Chelsea star Cole Palmer could be involved after missing Saturday’s defeat to Brazil with a minor problem, while Jude Bellingham is fit despite suffering with cramp in that game. Declan Rice will captain the side as he wins his 50th cap, while Ivan Toney is set to make his first England start up-front. Kobbie Mainoo could do likewise in midfield and Jarrad Branthwaite is hoping for an international debut. Predicted England XI: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Dunk, Chilwell; Bellingham, Rice, Mainoo; Foden, Toney, Bowen TV channel : The game will be broadcast on free-to-air coverage in the
UK on Channel 4 . Coverage starts at 7pm ahead of a 7.45pm kick-off. Live stream : Channel 4’s website and app will over a live stream service free of charge, though a subscription via email is needed. LIVE coverage: Follow all the action LIVE right here! Malik Ouzia and Dom Smith will be providing expert analysis at the ground. Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England vs Belgium! The Three Lions are back at Wembley, a few days on from their narrow defeat to Brazil. Gareth Southgate will be hoping for a more exciting display from his side tonight. We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 7:45pm GMT. Stick with us! MORE ABOUT Have your say...