England handed World Cup reality check by Belgium but it won’t derail us, says Gary Cahill

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Simon Johnson29 June 2018

Gary Cahill admits Belgium have handed England a reality check but insists losing to them will not damage their chances of beating Colombia in the last 16.

England missed out on progressing as winners of Group G courtesy of a stunning strike by former Manchester United and now Real Sociedad winger Adnan Januzaj.

Coach Gareth Southgate paid the price for making eight changes - albeit Belgium counterpart made nine - as well as leaving striker Harry Kane on the bench throughout.

It means England will face a much tougher task in Colombia than Japan and Cahill feels suffering the setback after two wins against Tunisia and Panama has sent out a timely message to everybody in the squad.

He told Standard Sport: “The Belgium game was a reminder to us of the standard of teams we are coming up against from now on.

“No disrespect to Panama, but that was a different test. The way they moved positions and kept the ball. It was a good benchmark for what is to come.

“We made eight changes, nine if you include the substitution at half-time (Harry Maguire for John Stones). Things were always going to be a little bit disjointed.

“The first half was good, the second was a bit stretched but nevertheless we just move on to the knock-out phase. Now this is the business end.”

England’s campaign had earned a lot of praise, until their display at Kaliningrad Stadium, having qualified for the last 16 with a match to spare.

England fans in Kaliningrad

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But there was little quality on show from Southgate’s side against the Belgians and now they go into the Colombia clash in Moscow under pressure to respond.

Comparisons are already being made with Euro 2016, where England also rotated the team in their final group game, failed to win (they drew 0-0 with Slovakia) and they were then knocked out by Iceland.

But Cahill is adamant that losing to Belgium has not damaged morale and added: “It doesn’t derail us. It won’t affect our momentum. It was disappointing to lose the game but we have lost nothing.

“This is an opportunity to go through to the next round. We are going into it with a lot of positivity. We have earned the right to play in this game.

“Colombia are a very good side but it’s all ifs and buts isn’t it? It’s going to be difficult, but they will all be. It’s like any competition, the longer you stay in it, the less likely you’re going to dodge any big teams.

“This is the business end. The next match is the important one, we look no further than that.

“The Belgium match was a strange game and I say that because we were already qualified and facing a situation where all the teams in the knock-out stage have similar ability. There are some very good teams in there.

“It was bizarre before the start - to be in a World Cup game where people were arguing beforehand whether it was better to finish second or first in the group.

Southgate's men face a tough test against Colomobia in the last 16
AFP/Getty Images

“But we didn’t enter the game in that manner. We went to win so in that respect we are disappointed.

“I don’t think there was anything in the game. It was a great finish by them, which separated the sides. We had a couple of really good chances but there was nothing in it.”

By missing out on top spot, England will play in Moscow - which is much closer to their training base just outside Saint Petersburg - on Tuesday rather than in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

“I think it’s a positive that we have an extra day to prepare and also that we have less further to travel to,” the Chelsea defender said.

“I say that because we arrived back to our training base in the early hours of this morning and our sleep is going to be all over the place for the next day or two. I don’t know whether it’s an advantage or not but it’s a good thing.”

Meanwhile, right wing back Kieran Trippier, told Standard Sport he has fully recovered from a leg injury that saw him rested on Thursday and will be fit to face Colombia.

Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli also looks like he will be available having gone through a training session on the pitch following the final whistle without any sign of discomfort.

Southgate also stated that Stones is fine even though he was taken off at the interval and was seen wearing strapping on his calf.

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