England v Belgium : The latest talking points about Southgate's men after last-gasp draw
England 2-2 Belgium
England scored at the death through Jude Bellingham to avoid a second home defeat in a week. They almost paid the price for two dreadful defensive errors. A howler from Jordan Pickford gifted the Belgians an early goal - Youri Tielemans taking advantage of the out-of-position keeper's dreadful clearance kick. Ivan Toney levelled from the sport but Tielemans nodded home his second of the night after a slip by Lewis Dunk to give Belgium a half-time lead they almost held onto.
Here's what we make of the night's main talking points.
Toney's big audition: Got into a great position early on to almost convert Jarrod Bowen's clever cross in from the right, but we soon saw a key facet of his game as he won a penalty off Jan Vertonghen. Had to wait an age to take the spot-kick but it was never in doubt that he'd bag his first goal at international level with that trademark short run-up and deadeye calm.
He is arguably more street-wise than rival Ollie Watkins for the Harry Kane understudy role as well as being superior with set pieces. Also capable of throwing defenders off guard with dummies, one of which paved the way for a dangerous first-half attack. Forced the keeper into a save after good link-up with Phil Foden.
Defensive worries: When John Stones turned an ankle early on, he joined Kyle Walker in becoming a doubt for Sunday's showdown against Arsenal. It also underlined the fragility of England's back four, with Ezri Konsa and Dunk nobody's idea of the perfect central defensive pairing.
They could have done without a goalkeeping lapse too. Attacking wise, they had enough chances to win, with Bellingham missing two outstanding chances before finally netting deep into injury time.
Declan Rice as captain: Arsenal's midfielder was a proud man, donning the luminous green armband with relish. Seemed to really enjoy the responsibility of geeing up team-mates before kick-off and offering encouragement throughout. There is still much of his season to go but he should already view this as an excellent start to living up to a £100m pricetag.
Kobbie the contender: So composed. Mainoo's link-up with Toney in the first-half created a moment of real danger. Looked as if he belongs. Good footballing brain. Makes good decisions under pressure. Have this year's Euros come too soon for the Man United midfielder? You wouldn't rule him out.
Absent friends: The evening was as much about those who did not feature as those who did. Kane is still injured and Harry Maguire was also sidelined (which may be no bad thing). Kyle Walker tweaked a hamstring against Brazil and sat this one out. Bukayo Saka also didn't make it. Belgium were without Kevin de Bruyne, their best player.
The London connection: In the starting XI were Ben Chilwell, Rice, Toney and Bowen - each of them with something to prove.
Chilwell looked more assured than against Brazil but was probably tested less. Bowen was lively down the right and almost capped a decent night with his first goal for England on his sixth appearance - a VAR intervention ruling out his header past keeper Matz Sels.
He also went close with a near-post attempt after the break and a fine run created great chance for Foden to make it 2-2. James Maddison came on for Mainoo for the final quarter and claimed an assist for that late equaliser.
Les Diables Rouges, sporting a wonderful Tintin tribute kit had Leandro Trossard and Timothy Castagne starting. Chelsea and Spurs fans will have taken an interest in Romelu Lukaku and Vertonghen's presence for the Belgians. Lukaku made a magnificent assist for Tielemans' second goal of the evening. Michy Batshuayi came on for Lukaku late on.
Context: Although England have enjoyed overall supremacy since the countries first locked horns, the same cannot be said of recent times and battles with the Golden Generation of Belgian football.
England lost only one of the first 18 meetings between the two nations, dating back to 1921. That sequence included a 9-1 win for the Three Lions in 1927 when Everton legend Dixie Dean scored a hat-trick in Brussels.
But in eight meetings since the famous David Platt extra-time winner in Italia 90, the Belgians have won four, with England winning three. There were two wins for Belgium in the 2018 World Cup, including the third-place match, and a win apiece in the 2020 Nations League. They are not easy opponents these days.
