However, Wilmots’ men responded in style to defeat Ireland 3-0 at the Stade de Bordeaux and belatedly ignite their Group E campaign.
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In contrast, Lukaku’s Everton team-mate James McCarthy was cruelly punished for failing to pick up his marker for both of Belgium’s first two goals and after the second went in he was immediately given the hook by manager Martin O’Neill, making way for James McClean. We have got some great players and sometimes the criticism is just manipulation. “I think it was very important for us to win today, to deliver a good performance after the game against Italy, which was a setback”.
Romelu Lukaku scored two second-half goals as Belgium’s much-vaunted attack finally sprang to life after a disappointing display in the opening 2-0 loss to Italy.
Referee Cuneyt Cakir waved play on and Belgium broke at pace with De Bruyne surging down the right before picking out Lukaku, who shifted the ball on to his left foot before drilling into the bottom corner with Randolph powerless to resist.
“But I think that overall we were beaten today by a better team”. However, the Irish defence dealt with any threat comfortably enough in the opening quarter of an hour, although Toby Alderweireld headed a Kevin De Bruyne corner narrowly off target before the Manchester City star swung in a unsafe free-kick from the left which evaded everyone but drifted just wide of the far post.
The first half was a one-sided affair, with the impressive Kevin de Bruyne running the show for Belgium as the Republic of Ireland were forced to defend for lengthy passages of play.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots lashed out at critics who had questioned his leadership and the team’s quality, saying it was “manipulation” created by “negative people”. Carrasco was first to the rebound and nodded the ball over the line, but the goal was chalked off as the Atletico Madrid man was in an offside position when he initially collected the ball at the start of the move.
Before getting on the team bus to head back to the squad’s base in Versailles, near Paris, O’Neill added: “I know the players seem adamant about it but I haven’t seen it back yet”.
Ireland face Italy – who have already won the pool – in their last group game in Lille on Wednesday knowing victory is needed for them to stand any chance of reaching the last 16. “And we came out with the right reponse”. “It didn’t materialise but now we have to go and throw everything into the match to prevent Italy from scoring and try to win the game ourselves”.
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In the 24-team format that’s being used at Euro 2016 for the first time, some third-placed group teams will qualify for the round of 16.
