England World Cup ratings and analysis: Ruben Loftus-Cheek shines, but England taught a lesson

England's starting formation was tweaked for the first time at the World Cup as England switched from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3.

Gareth Southgate made five changes from the Croatia semi-final: Phil Jones came in for Kyle Walker at the back, Danny Rose replaced Ashley Young at left-wing-back, and the midfield was rotated in its entirety with Eric Dier, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in for Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli.

Crucially, Loftus-Cheek pushed into a front three with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, leaving Fabian Delph and Eric Dier as a two-man midfield.

Employing a two-man midfield looked to be a curious response to the Croatia semi-final after England struggled in that department - and Belgium enjoyed themselves in the first half with a dominant display. Thomas Meunier scored after four minutes as Belgium exploited space in the final third and some lacklustre defending. It was a mistake on Southgate's part.

His response at half-time was to bring on Lingard for the flagging Rose, with Delph moving to left-wing-back and Loftus-Cheek coming deeper to restore the midfield three. It led to an improved display and Southgate would have derived particular pleasure from the performances of Delph and Loftus-Cheek - whilst possibly wondering whether either should have started against Croatia.

Still, despite England's improvement, this was a game which underlined how much work they have to do. Southgate is aware of that, of course, but they looked too vulnerable at the back and Eden Hazard nipped in far too easily for a second on 82 minutes. Belgium are clearly a level above England - as they should be given the profile of the two squads.

It was a harsh lesson at the end of a glorious World Cup campaign but despite still nursing a sense of what might have been after leading Croatia in the semi-final, Southgate has still produced England's joint second-best ever World Cup result.

Jordan Pickford - 7: Was left stranded for the Meunier goal by his defence but soon made a smart save from a deflected De Bruyne shot. Pickford outdid himself on 80 minutes with a masterful save to prevent Meunier smashing home a second after a perfect Belgium counter-attack. What a World Cup for the Everton man.

Kieran Trippier - 7. Showcased his near faultless delivery with another excellent contribution in the final third. Deserves to be named in the team of the tournament.

Phil Jones - 5: Wandered out of position to leave a big gap in behind for the first goal and was left floundering for the second when De Bruyne played a pass just beyond his reach for Eden Hazard to score. Despite the quality of the pass, Jones should have done better. His positioning was highly suspect.

John Stones - 8: A huge performance in the first half as Stones made a succession of important blocks - particularly on 46 minutes when Romelu Lukaku threatened to test Pickford. Stones has had a fantastic tournament and he shone again while other members of the team struggled. Was booked for a cynical foul on Eden Hazard, though, and nutmegged by his City team-mate Kevin de Bruyne.

Harry Maguire - 7: Employed his slab head to good effect with a headed chance in the first half and joined Stones in making some important blocks. He was attentive and diligent, completing what has been a magnificent World Cup for the Leicester centre-back. Maguire had a few chances from set-pieces in the second half without troubling Thibaut Courtois.

Danny Rose - 4: Was caught on the wrong side of Meunier for the opening goal as the Belgian sauntered past him and slid the ball home at the back post. Was caught out again by the PSG man on 27 minutes as England were almost punished for a second time. Withdrawn at half-time after a chastening 45 minutes.

Eric Dier - 5: Looked unconvincing in the holding role as Belgium ran around him in the first half, but was inches away from scoring in the second when he played a one-two with Rashford, dinked the ball over Courtois and saw his club-mate Toby Alderweireld clear off the line. Was sloppy in possession - a feature of his tournament.

Fabian Delph - 7: The City man produced a high-energy performance, first in midfield and then at left-wing-back. He harried Belgium when England were out of possession and made one superb sliding tackle to stop Meunier in the box on 62 minutes.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 8: Was England's brightest and best player. Loftus-Cheek glided across the turf from his position in the front three, with one run on 10 minutes taking him past a succession of Belgian shirts and into the box. The Chelsea midfielder saw a header saved and his influence continued after the break with his clever movement and quality on the ball. Showed he has a huge future with England - and possibly that he was underused at the tournament.

Raheem Sterling - 6: The City forward ended the World Cup without a goal as he made way at half-time. He wasn't involved enough in the first half and struggled to keep the ball. His best moment was latching onto a through-ball from Dier and laying a pass off to Kane, which the striker squandered.

Harry Kane - 5: Struggled again as his World Cup fizzled out. Looks on course to claim the Golden Boot but he should have had a seventh of the competition when Sterling laid a lovely pass off for him on 23 minutes, only for Kane to slip and send the ball wide. A disappointing afternoon.

Jesse Lingard (on for Rose, 45) - 7:Was a big factor in England's improvement after the break as he immediately began knitting play together in midfield. One rifled cross almost connected with a desperate Kane at the back post.

Marcus Rashford (on for Sterling, 45) - 6:His touch was a neat one for the Dier chance and Sterling helped England assert themselves, before Hazard scored the second.