Thibaut Courtois warns England Belgium desperate to beat Three Lions in final group game
Thibaut Courtois has warned England Belgium have every motivation to beat them in their final group game.
The winner of the meeting will decide who tops Group G and with both sides on equal points and goal difference, it could be a close-run affair.
Belgium and England are expected to rest several of their top stars after already securing passage into the next round, and will not risk players already on yellow cards.
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Chelseas Courtois is expected to play and admitted for him it was a case of bragging rights, considering he will eventually return to his English club after the tournament.
For me there is pride, said Courtois.
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I dont want to go back to England in July with a losing feeling. I want to win. I think everyone feels that way.
Obviously weve qualified and maybe England will rest some players. We have some guys with a yellow card who we dont want to be missing for the last 16.
It will be different because it doesnt matter if we win or lose, because we are through, so in that way, its less nerves maybe going into the game for everyone.
But I would say its about prestige – everybody wants to win. They have a lot guys we know and we have a lot of guys they know.
People say it will depend on who we play in the next round, but in that group there are four teams that are really tough.
So I dont think it matters if you finish second or first. But if you want to have that winning feeling, its best to keep on winning.
It is unclear whether finishing top of the group would be in the best interests of England, with Group H almost too close to call.
Colombia could still finish second and England would not want to top their group and have to face the talented South Americans in the last 16.
Japan are currently best placed to finish top of Group H, and they would take on the runner-ups of Englands group.
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