Belgium's Adnan Januzaj scores the opening goal during the group G match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Belgium's Adnan Januzaj scores the opening goal during the group G match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) Credit: Michael Sohn

Kaliningrad, Russia — England barely seemed troubled by losing. Belgium appeared to be a reluctant winner.

Such was the curious conclusion to the group stage at the World Cup on Thursday. Neither team needed to win, and there was good reason for neither to even want to win.

Belgium did collect the three points, beating England, 1-0, and secured first place in the group on Adnan Januzaj’s curling shot. But that might not turn out to be the desirable outcome, since the victory diverted Belgium onto the tougher potential path to the final.

Although Belgium gets what appears to be an easier match against Japan in the round of 16, it could get trickier with a victory in Rostov-on-Don on Monday. Brazil, Portugal, France and Argentina are possible future opponents.

“I don’t think you can plan the ideal scenario,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said. “You have seen big nations coming very close to elimination, or already eliminated.”

Thanks to a pair of opening victories for both, England and Belgium entered the Group G match knowing they were already in the second round. Belgium made nine changes and still won. England lost the top spot after dropping Harry Kane, the tournament’s leading scorer, and seven others.

England coach Gareth Southgate could barely contain his delight in finding himself on the less challenging side of the draw. His team will face Colombia on Tuesday in Moscow, followed by possible matchups against Spain, Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.

If the script was to avoid winning, Januzaj didn’t read it. Picking up possession on the edge of the penalty area, he shifted the ball around Danny Rose and curled it into the corner of the net in the 51st minute.

Tunisia 2, Panama 1

Saransk, Russia — Striker Wahbi Khazri’s hard, rising shot in the 66th minute lifted Tunisia over Panama for his nation’s first World Cup victory in four decades. It came 15 minutes after Khazri’s pinpoint square pass produced Fakhreddine Ben Youssef’s equalizer.

Panama had taken the lead in the 33rd minute through an own goal when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s hard shot deflected off of Yassine Meriah, which sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Poland 1, Japan 0

Volgograd, Russia — Amid a crescendo of boos and whistles as neither side tried to score, Japan advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup because of a newly implemented tiebreaker — fewer yellow cards despite losing to Poland.

The Japanese, barely playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, still reached the round of 16 because Colombia beat Senegal in the other Group H match.

Japan has reached the knockout round at the World Cup three times in the last five tournaments.

Colombia 1, Senegal 0

Samara, Russia — Yerry Mina scored on a header in the 74th minute and Colombia defeated Senegal to advance to the World Cup knockout stage. Senegal became the first team ever eliminated by a new tiebreaker — number of yellow cards.

Japan and Senegal were tied on all tiebreakers except fair play points, based on yellow and red cards.

Japan had four yellow cards, Senegal had six.

Colombia, which played in the quarterfinals four years ago in Brazil, finished atop its group and is the fourth South American team to advance. Senegal’s elimination means no African teams are left.

Colombia and Japan go on to play opponents from Group G — either England or Belgium, who play later Thursday.