After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

The Saint Petersburg Stadium on the night of July 14, 2018.

A subtle emotion permeated the air, neither as suffocating as the final showdown nor as relaxed as the group stage.

This is the third-place match in the World Cup.

England lost to Croatia, and Belgium lost to France.

The third-place match is often jokingly referred to as the "loser's final".

Nevertheless, this is a crucial match for both England and Belgium to prove themselves and defend their honor.

As the players from both teams entered the field, red and white flags and red and black flags swirled and danced in the stands.

The fans' chants were still loud, but there was less of the frenzy of the final and more anticipation for their star players' performance.

For England fans, the biggest focus is undoubtedly their number 17 superstar, Yan Yuan.

Can he continue his scoring streak in this match and secure the World Cup Golden Boot in an indisputable manner?

Although he is currently the top scorer and Dom Bappe has 2 goals.

However, the final hasn't even started yet. If Mbappe puts on a phenomenal performance in the final, Yan Yuan's chances of winning the Golden Boot are still uncertain.

As for Belgian fans...

They are looking forward to the emergence of stars from the golden generation, such as De Bruyne, Hazard, and Lukaku.

To play beautiful football in the final match of this tournament would be a relatively perfect ending to their 2018 World Cup journey.

Gareth Southgate stood on the sidelines, looking focused.

The lesson of losing 0-1 to Belgium in the group stage is still fresh in our minds.

That defeat exposed the lack of control and efficiency in the transition between attack and defense in England's midfield against technically skilled opponents.

This time, he was determined to make adjustments.

Southgate didn't make any major changes to the starting lineup, with Kane, Rashford, and Yan Yuan forming the attacking trident, and Henderson, Alli, and Dier anchoring the midfield. However, he made two key tactical adjustments:

The first step is a minor adjustment to the midfield.

Southgate instructed Henderson and Dier to focus more on blocking De Bruyne and Hazard's passing lanes in defense, compressing their space, and not hesitating to use physical confrontations and tactical fouls to disrupt Belgium's attacking rhythm.

Ali was also given more tasks to push forward and participate in the attack, especially to take advantage of the gaps in the flanks left by Yan Yuan and Sterling when they spread out.

The next point is even more crucial.

Southgate made it clear to Yan Yuan that as long as the shot was within range and the opportunity seemed right, he should not hesitate to take the shot!

He encouraged Yan Yuan to cut inside more often to seek shooting opportunities, or to switch positions more flexibly with Kane, maximizing the combination of his finishing ability and Kane's role as a target man.

This reflects absolute trust in Yan Yuan's abilities and is also a lesson Southgate learned from his semi-final defeat.

In a stalemate, star players definitely need to break the deadlock with their individual abilities.

At this point, the Three Lions finally have a young man who is willing to step forward, so this young man should be given the right to fire.

The match began with both sides playing a relatively open style.

Belgium boasts top-class playmakers like De Bruyne and Hazard, and their ball control and passing remain fluid.

England relied on the speed of Yan Yuan and Rashford, as well as Kane's ability to draw defenders, to frequently attack Belgium's defense.

Martinez has clearly studied England as well.

He assigned the experienced center-back pairing of Alderweireld and Kompany to closely mark Kane, while also instructing Meunier and Chadli to block Yan Yuan's inside runs.

The first half was intense, but there weren't many clear-cut chances.

Belgium created several threats thanks to De Bruyne's precise long passes and through balls, but England's defense held firm under pressure, led by Maguire and Stones.

Yan Yuan is very active in England.

His attempts to cut inside and shoot were blocked or went wide several times, but the attacking desire and decisiveness he displayed were exactly what Southgate wanted to see.

The turning point of the match came in the 32th minute.

England won a throw-in on the right side of midfield, and Trippier threw the ball powerfully to Alli, who had dropped back to receive it.

Alli turned his back to the defender and leaned against him, choosing not to stop the ball or turn around.

Instead, he deftly flicked the ball with his heel! The ball went through the defender's legs and rolled towards the center!

This unexpected pass disrupted Belgium's defensive formation.

The ball rolled to a position slightly to the right of the edge of the penalty area!

Just then, a red figure shot forward at high speed like an arrow released from a bow.

Yan Yuan rushed forward at high speed to meet the ball. He had no time to adjust. At a distance of about 30 meters from the goal, facing the Belgian defensive midfielder Witsel who was coming to cover, Yan Yuan used his left foot as the supporting foot to firmly plant his feet on the ground, his body slightly tilted, and his right leg swung like a whip with all his might!

The inside of his foot struck the lower middle part of the ball hard!

"Bang!" A dull and shocking loud noise!

This was the kind of "fire" that Southgate wanted.

The ball, like a cannonball, spun sharply and arced in a near-perfect arc, hurtling towards the top left corner of the goal.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reacted with lightning speed, leaping into the air with his long arms outstretched to their limit.

But the ball's trajectory was too tricky, and its power too great!

It grazed Courtois's fingertips, slammed into the inside of the junction of the crossbar and the post, and then crashed heavily into the net!

1-0!

That was an absolute world-class goal!

The entire St. Petersburg stadium erupted in cheers!

The cheers from the England fans almost lifted the roof off.

Yan Yuan gave Ali a thumbs-up, his face beaming with joy and relief!

His teammates rushed over and hugged him tightly.

Kane vigorously ruffled his hair, while Maguire shouted excitedly in his ear.

"Yan! Your third Golden Boot is definitely in your hands!!"

This goal not only broke the deadlock, but was also a priceless "Golden Boot declaration"!

It perfectly showcases Yan Yuan's top-tier finishing ability, which combines power, skill, angle, and determination, after replicating Kane's shooting attributes.

In the final dance of this World Cup.

Yan Yuan proved himself worthy of the supreme personal honor that was about to be his in the most shocking way.

In the second half, Belgium, trailing by one goal, intensified their attack.

De Bruyne and Hazard began to combine more often, trying to break down England's defense.

Martinez substituted Mertens for the lackluster Chadli to energize the attacking third.

England, on the other hand, played with more composure.

Southgate's tactical adjustments are beginning to show results.

Henderson and Dier were very active in intercepting and sweeping in midfield, effectively limiting De Bruyne's passing space.

Ali frequently moved forward, echoing the moves of Kane and Yan Yuan.

In the 67th minute, England's patient passing paid off.

England passed the ball around on the left flank, and Sterling (who replaced Rashford in the second half) passed it back to Rose who had made a run forward.

Rose didn't stop the ball and immediately crossed it with his left foot.

The ball arced low and flat, flying towards the edge of the penalty area!

Kane leaped up to contest the header under Alderweireld's close marking.

Although he didn't head the ball, his interference hindered Belgian goalkeeper Courtois's attempt to come out.

The ball sailed over Kane's head and landed near the edge of the six-yard box.

At that moment, a figure quickly appeared in the most dangerous position: Henderson!

The Liverpool captain demonstrated the instinct to make runs from deep in a top midfield.

Facing the falling ball, with no one marking him, he calmly used the instep of his right foot to deliver a low, powerful shot!

The ball rolled past Courtois and nestled into the far corner of the goal!

2-0! England extend their lead!

Henderson excitedly slid his knees in celebration!

This goal practically sealed the victory, and the England bench erupted in jubilation!

Belgium did not give up despite being two goals down.

Their golden generation is still working hard.

In the 82nd minute, Belgium executed a brilliant combination play on the left flank of the attacking third.

Mertens and Hazard exchanged a series of one-two passes before Mertens broke into the left side of the penalty area!

Facing Walker's defense near the byline, Hazard made a clever stop and change of direction, creating a sliver of space before curling a shot with his signature left foot!

The ball bypassed Walker and goalkeeper Pickford's outstretched fingers and flew precisely into the far corner of the goal.

2-1! Hazard pulls a goal back for Belgium!

This goal showcased his world-class individual ability.

In the final stages of the match, Belgium launched a final, fierce attack.

De Bruyne's long-range shot and Lukaku's header put immense pressure on England's defense.

However, Southgate promptly brought on Dier (replacing an exhausted Alli) and Vardy (replacing Kane) to strengthen the defensive solidity.

Maguire and Stones formed an impenetrable wall in the penalty area, defusing danger time and time again.

Pickford also made crucial saves to keep the goal intact.

As stoppage time ticked away, the cheers from the Belgian fans grew louder, but the England players remained united.

When the referee finally blew the final whistle, the score was 2-1!

England beat Belgium!

They won third place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia!

The England players embraced each other, exhausted but excited, to celebrate their hard-won bronze medal.

Southgate gave each player a high-five and a hug.

In the stands, the chants of England fans rose again, the melody of "Football's Coming Home" filled with satisfaction and pride.

Although they failed to reach the final and lift the trophy, finishing third is England's best result in the World Cup since winning the title in 1966!

These young people have made history.

The online discussion remained heated after the match. Opinions among fans were divided regarding the England team's overall performance:

"England finishing third is not bad, after all, they are not strong enough to compete for the title, their midfield is too weak."

"Yes, the midfield is still a major weakness. They are at a disadvantage against technically skilled midfielders like those from France and Croatia."

"Southgate has done a good job; the Three Lions have a bright future."

"Did Kane seem a bit tired in the last few games, and did he lose his shooting touch?"

"I also want to ask, was Kane's shooting boots stolen by Yan?"

However, the evaluations of Yan Yuan are surprisingly consistent:

"Yan, the absolute MVP of this tournament! That world-class goal was so cool! The Golden Boot is in the bag!"

"8 goals in 7 games! My God, this is absolutely the World Cup Golden Boot! He's only 18! England's attacking line is secure for the next decade!"

"Although England lost, Yan Yuan won! He won his third Golden Boot and secured his future!"

"Upstairs, the final hasn't even started yet. Mbappe is still there. Yan Yuan's Golden Boot is still a little bit of a mystery."

"Yan, lead Arsenal to continue their dominance in the Premier League next season!"

Although England lost, Yan Yuan won.

This seemingly contradictory yet profound statement became the most insightful summary in the post-match comments from fans.

It reflects the fans' clear understanding that the team's overall strength is still insufficient, and also expresses their high recognition and high expectations for Yan Yuan's outstanding performance in this World Cup.

With 8 goals, he surpasses Mbappe (5 goals) and Griezmann, Lukaku, and others (4 goals each).

Unless Mbappe scores four goals in the final, he won the Golden Boot.

The day after the third-place match ended.

On July 15, 2018, the final battle took place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

France vs. Croatia.

The course and result of this match once again confirmed France's status as the strongest team in this tournament.

Deschamps' team plays efficiently and ruthlessly.

Griezmann's free kick resulted in an own goal by Mandzukic, Perisic equalized, but Griezmann then converted a penalty to regain the lead.

In the second half, the youthful energy of the French team exploded!

Pogba scored with a long-range shot, while Mbappe sealed the score at 4-1 in the 65th minute with a stunning long-range effort!

Although Mandzukic capitalized on Lloris's mistake to pull one back, it was too late to turn the tide.

In the end, the French team defeated the tenacious but exhausted Croatian team 4-2.

Lifting the World Cup trophy again after 20 years!

This is France's second World Cup trophy.

The Gallic rooster has been crowned on Russian soil!

As the French players celebrated their victory amidst a shower of confetti, the World Cup stage slowly came to a close.

However, the final selection of individual honors has only just begun.

Who will win the awards for best player, Golden Boot, best goalkeeper, and best young player has become a hot topic of discussion among fans and media worldwide.

The smoke of the Russian World Cup has gradually dissipated, but the name Yan Yuan remains as vivid as the earth-shattering world-class goal he scored against Belgium.

It has been deeply imprinted on the 2018 World Cup and in the hearts of football fans around the world.