England manager Gareth Southgate has defended making a raft of changes to his side as they were defeated by Belgium but said that the knockout stage took precedence.

The two sides went into the final group game with qualification secured and only the matter of final placings to be decided. With many observers feeling that the side finishing second would have a potentially easier path through the tournament, it was no surprise when both managers shook up their teams and left out star players.

An Adnan Januzaj goal settled the contest in Belgium's favour and though Southgate said he had hoped to win and was disappointed not to complete the group with a 100% record, he felt he had to protect players for a last 16 game that would be "the biggest in a decade" for his side.

"This was a game we wanted to win but the knockout game is the biggest game for a decade so needed to make sure our key players were reserved," he said.

"The players tonight gave everything. We have seen the level everyone has been playing at, we need to keep improving.

"We kept pressing until the end. I think the supporters understand what the most important thing is."

Despite defeat, Southgate took positives from the match.

"I think it was a pretty even game," he said. "They had better controlled possession and the best chances in the first half.

"We had some good ones in the second half. It was a good test for us. It didn't happen for Marcus Rashford tonight but we don't suffer for it.

"We want to win football matches so we're not happy to come away being beaten."

Belgium go on to face Japan in the next round  on Monday, with England facing Colombia a day later.

In the other group match, Tunisia came from behind to beat Panama 2-1.