To win, or not to win? Why England and Belgium want to be second in Group G

Whoever comes second would also play two of the three knockout rounds to the final in the comfort of Moscow

To win, or not to win? Tug some jersey, or avoid yellow cards? England and Belgium face a World Cup conundrum ahead of Thursday’s crunch in Kaliningrad — is it better to finish second rather than win Group G?

Coaches Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez play down such talk. Yet a troubled start for Germany means the Group G winner risks coming across either the defending champions or a feared Brazil earlier in the knockout rounds. England and Belgium will have a better idea of future opponents after Wednesday’s games.

Since England’s 6-1 defeat of Panama on Sunday, both are sure to