Gareth Southgate: Colombia clash is England's biggest in a decade

England last won a match in the last 16 of the finals when they completed a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in 2006 before losing on penalties to Portugal after a 0-0 draw.

Southgate defended his decision to make eight changes for the Group G decider with Belgium, including resting five-goal striker Harry Kane, a match they lost 1-0 to finish runners-up behind Roberto Martinez's side.

It means England go to Moscow to face Group H winners Colombia at the Spartak Stadium on Tuesday with Belgium meeting Japan in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

“This was a game that we wanted to win, but the knockout game is the biggest game for a decade for us so we had to make sure our key players were preserved,” said Southgate.

“The players who've played tonight have given absolutely everything and never stopped.

"Everyone's seen the level that we've been playing at and we've got to keep improving.

“We created openings to get something from the game, but we have to keep improving. I think the supporters know what the most important thing is."

Southgate felt England were slightly unfortunate not to escape with a point against Belgium.

“I think it was a pretty even game. I thought they had the better controlled possession, and the better chances in the first half," said Soutgate.

"But we had a couple of good ones in the second. So it was a good test of us. We had half an eye on the knockout. Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy kept running. It didn’t happen for them tonight, but we don’t suffer for it.”