Gareth Southgate admits his England World Cup 2018 stars ran out of steam after Belgium loss

England's Eric Dier and Harry Kane look dejected. [Photo/Reuters]

Proud boss Gareth Southgate admitted his stars were shot to pieces as they limped out of the World Cup.

England were beaten 2-0 by Belgium in the play-off for third place – their second defeat of the tournament by Roberto Martinez' stars and third in total.

But they fly back to Birmingham today clutching a new-found respect as well as a fourth place finish at Russia 2018.

After the crushing disappointment of their semi-final defeat by Croatia it wasn't the ending Southgate or his Three Lions wanted.

But he had only praise for his players who simply ran out of gas with the physical and emotional stress of their semi-final exit against Croatia taking it's toll.

And Southgate accepted his team ultimately came up short against the best sides in the tournament.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the players have done. Today was always going to be a really difficult game,” he said.

“We played one of the best teams in the world with some exceptional individual talent, with two days to prepare. Belgium are far ahead of us in terms of their development as a group. It's probably their best team ever. We’re not at that stage just yet.

“We’ve finished in the final four, but we’re not a top four team yet, we know that – we are realistic. Against the very best teams, we’ve come up short.

“We managed to get the players in the right frame of mind today. Their attitude was outstanding.

“Physically, it took them a while to get going because we’ve not trained between the two games. But they never stopped. They kept pushing forward until the end.

“We haven’t quite produced the moments of quality around the opposition’s penalty area enough in this tournament, but I couldn’t ask more of these players. We’ve had a wonderful adventure and some experiences which will stand this group of players and staff in good stead for the future.

“I couldn’t ask any more from the players through the seven weeks we have been together.”

Gareth Southgate consoles Kane after the game. [Photo/Courtesy]

Southgate also defended six-goal skipper Harry Kane, who is in line to win the coveted Golden Boot unless Antoine Griezmann or Kylian Mbappe scores four goals or one of several Croatians five in Sunday's final.

He said: “I think it would be wrong to judge any player on today’s game if their energy levels were short. He’s captained the team exceptionally well.

“He’s led a culture we’re trying to create. The players should be proud of themselves. They’ve achieved an equal high in terms of tournament performance that an English team has achieved abroad.

“We leave here having progressed a lot. The enjoyment the players have had in an England shirt is important. The performances they’ll have learned a lot from, in victory and in defeat. Now we have to look to the future.”

Kane added: “I’m disappointed that I couldn’t get a goal in the last few games. Sometimes it goes for you.

“The Golden Boot? We’ll see, but if I do get it then it’ll be something that I’m very proud of.”

The Spurs striker failed to add to his tally. [Photo/Courtesy]

Chelsea star and man of the match Eden Hazard - who scored the killer second goal after PSG star Thomas Meuiner had opening the scoring after just four minutes - said: “Tonight Belgium will celebrate. It has been a fantastic World Cup for all of us and we can enjoy it now.

"I am just proud to win games. I am man of the match because my team-mates helped me, that's why I can give everything on the pitch, score and be decisive for the team.”