Resting the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and others was always going to be a gamble. Yes we may lose the game, but the journey is still very much on. What I would have criticized the English manager for, however, would have been to then bring on Harry Kane and others to try to salvage the points. If your goal was to rest key players, and therefore reduce their risk of injury, then I am not sure why you would then bring them on in the final twenty minutes to chase a game.
Fortunately Southgate kept with the plan and, despite the defeat, England progress to the last sixteen. With second spot we also secure a more favourable route to a possible final. Will we make it to the final of Russia 2018? Probably not. I do know that Colombia will provide a tough test for the Three Lions, but more than against the Japanese, who beat the Colombians? And with one day less rest and preparation?
Like it or not, most of the big hitters of the World Cup are now awaiting Belgium if Roberto Martinez's side were to progress. Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay and France all have the potential to be Belgium's opponents in the quarter or semi finals. For England, although tough, only one would be considered likely to win the whole thing. And that is Spain.
But that's enough waffling (pun not intended) about games ahead, first its Colombia. Right now though I would like to look at the previous game against Belgium. As I said Gareth made many changes to the lineup for this game. The much, I think unfairly, criticized Raheem Sterling joined Harry Kane on the bench.
Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy were given their chances to shine. And, to be honest, neither really did. It was a different style of play from England in this match. yes, we still attempted to play it out from the back, but would then launch it towards Vardy way too quickly in my opinion.
The opening ten minutes saw England have more pressure and possession and yet it was the Belgium side who had two decent chances. Jordan Pickford allowed the ball to squirm under his body in one attack with Gary Cahill clearing of the line.
The game really was shaping up to be a friendly with the steady build up play and long balls now a constant theme, rather than the quick interplay we witnessed between Lingard, Sterling and co. Yes it was a tougher opponent, but they too had made nine changes themselves.
Ruben Loftus -Cheek had the best England chance of the first half, but a poor touch gave the ball to the opposition defence. Other than that he had a decent game though, when the half arrived, England were yet to have a shot on goal.
If the first two games were about set pieces then this game was about poor delivery. With Liverpool's golden boy Trent Alexander-Arnold on free-kick and corner duty I am at a loss remembering a delivery which cleared the wall or beat the first man.
What was strikingly clear from this game is that England's 'second' string is nowhere near Belgium's. This was crystal clear with the calmness and confidence in which Adnan Januzaj put his side in front compared to the Marcus Rashford attempt when one on one. Shooting wide he was lucky to be awarded the corner. Replays showing the markings on the ball not changing direction as they passed the outstretched glove of Thibaut Courtois.
Henderson, Walker, Trippier and even, dare I say it, Ashley Young provide more in going forward from the back than the replacements on Thursday night. Dele Alli, Sterling and Jesse Lingard can all play quick one touch football and Harry Kane just attracts goals.
The Group stage is all about qualifying, and that's what we have done. The real test begins on Tuesday against Radamel Falcao and, maybe, James Rodriguez. If the Three Lions are on a plane home after that match then the gamble would not have been worth it. If they progress, then who knows where they could go.
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