<P> In the final group stage match, England narrowly lost 1 - 0 to Belgium . Adnan Januzaj scored the sole goal of the game; but with both teams having fielded reserve teams, with England specificially making 9 changes . Before the game media outlets stating that a loss could potentially become beneficial, as the winner would be in the half of the draw with four of the top seven sides in the world . The result that meant Belgium topped the group and England finished second, setting up a last 16 clash with Group H winners Colombia . </P> <P> England played their last 16 match in the Otkritie Arena, Moscow, with the same team as against Tunisia . Harry Kane scored his sixth goal of the tournament, and the third penalty, after once again being fouled in the box from a corner, similarly as against Panama . The score remained at 1 - 0, until stoppage time, where a header from Yerry Mina beat Jordan Pickford in goal to bring the game to extra time . Neither team managed to score in extra time, and the match went to penalties, which England won 4 - 3 . As well as being the first knockout match England had won at a major tournament since 2006 (last defeating Ecuador in the last 16); it was the first time England won a World Cup penalty shoot - out . The match was notable for the heated atmosphere the game was played in, with a total of eight yellow cards being shown in the match . </P> <P> England played against Sweden in their quarter - final at Cosmos Arena, Samara on 7 July 2018 . They won the match 2--0, with defender Harry Maguire scoring his first England goal, a header scored from a corner, and Dele Alli a second header from close range . This would send them through to their third World Cup semi-final and their first since 1990, and third overall . The team played Croatia in the semi-final, resulting in a 2--1 loss after extra time . England would later finish fourth in the competition, the best result since 1990 . England would lose again to Belgium in the 3rd place playoff, thanks to goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard, despite a Eric Dier shot being cleared off the line by Toby Alderweireld . </P> <P> The tournament would see England score nine goals from set - pieces--the most by a team in a single World Cup tournament since 1966 . </P>

Last time england was in the semi finals world cup