Five key issues ahead of England versus Belgium

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England and Belgium wrap up Group G on Thursday, with both sides already assured of a place in the last 16 but first and second place still to be decided.

Here Press Association Sport looks at the pressing issues ahead of the fixture.

Bragging rights or best route?

Raheem Sterling (left) and Kevin de Bruyne (right) are more used to being team-mates than rivals
Raheem Sterling (left) and Kevin de Bruyne (right) are more used to being team-mates than rivals (Martin Rikett/PA)

Changing of the guard

Eric Dier is one of several players set for their first start of the tournament
Eric Dier is one of several players set for their first start of the tournament (Nick Potts/PA)

Can Kane keep it up?

With five goals in the first two games, Harry Kane has truly arrived on the international stage and has made it perfectly clear he wants to continue riding his hot streak against Belgium. Gareth Southgate’s instincts might be more cautious as he eyes the knockout stage but it looks increasingly likely his captain’s hunger will win the day. He is just one away from Gary Lineker’s six-goal salvo at Italia 90 and will want as many chances as possible to overhaul it.

Good Kompany?

Who wants to play a world cup? #Belgium #WorldCup #Russia #REDTOGETHER

A post shared by Vincent Kompany (@vincentkompany) on

Throwing cautions to the wind

Will a yellow card decide England's knockout route?
Will a yellow card decide England’s knockout route? (Stephen Pond/PA)

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