Meanwhile, victorious Belgium coach Marc Wilmots rounded on his critics after seeing his team blast their way into Euro 2016 form with a resounding victory over the Republic of Ireland.
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Ireland manager Martin O’Neill had promised a different approach from his team after what he called an “accomplished” showing in drawing 1-1 with Sweden, and it worked in the first half as Belgium struggled to create openings.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice and Axel Witsel once as Belgium got off the mark at Euro 2016, comfortably beating Republic of Ireland 3-0 in Bordeaux.
Long said that the scoreline was “a bit flattering” for Belgium but stressed that they have the type of quick players needed to punish a team on the break. “Hopefully it is an open game which will give us an advantage”. “We have to win a game and we will throw absolutely everything in to it”.
The adjustment had the desired impact, with the Manchester City attacker central to Belgium’s many offensive moves, including the assist for the opening goal.
They had one last chance to reduce the deficit in the second minute of injury time, but it again went to waste as substitute Aiden McGeady’s header flew wide of the left-hand post.
Whelan was widely acclaimed for his role in shutting down the threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Sweden, but he faced a much more complex problem on Saturday evening as De Bruyne, Carrasco and Hazard floated through the space in between the Irish midfield and defence.
“I’ve not seen it back myself but the players were pretty adamant it was a penalty”, he said.
Belgium boss Marc Wilmots cautioned: “We’re not yet qualified and it’s a hard game against Sweden – it’s like a final for us”.
Having produced an impressive performance during the 1-1 draw with Sweden in their Group E opener, the Irish were unable to cope with an incisive Belgium frontline, who sealed a 3-0 win during a rampant counter-attacking display. “Now we are awake and have to become even better after the performance of today”.
Something they did until they got their equaliser.
“We accept the fact that individually Belgium are as talented as anyone in the competition but the goals we gave away were not great”, said O’Neill.
He added: “It’s very important for us now to rest and get ready for the next game”.
Yet Ireland were justifiably left seething as Alderweireld’s penalty-box high foot on Long in the build-up went unpunished.
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“We didn’t play well enough”. “We have to rectify that in few days time”.
