The victory came courtesy of two goals from Romelu Lukaku, either side of an Axel Witsel header in the second half. Ireland giving the Belgians ample opportunity to attack as they sat back.
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“I think individually they are as talented a team as any in the competition”, Ireland coach Martin O’Neill said.
Lukaku also scored in the 70 minute after he coolly beat Randolph with a straight forward finish – picking his spot after a captain Eden Hazard ran down the right side before passing low to the unmarked forward.
Witsel doubled the score for Belgium on the 61st minute when he went past McCarthy, who was unaware of his presence, and sent a thumping header past Randolph on the end of Meunier’s cross. Drawing against Antonio Conte’s side will guarantee them third place should the Swedes lose to Belgium, but because only the top four out of six third place teams progress, a haul of two points is highly unlikely to be enough to qualify.
18 June 2016; Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland in action against Jan Vertonghen of Belgium in the UEFA Euro 2016 Group E match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France.
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.
Whether you play this kid left-back or left wing, he is now the star for Ireland, he keeps producing all the time and could be key against Italy.
“We know it will be hard, believe me, because they have been fantastic in their first two games, but we have to take the positives from the first half tonight and the game against Sweden as well”.
A fast counter saw de Bruyne make a splendid run down the right flank before setting up Lukaku in front of the Ireland penalty box.
De Bruyne described the result as “part one of two”, adding, “we were under pressure before today and we came out with the right response”. That’s what we did; now on to the next game. It is never easy for a manager, never dismiss it, but most important is to reappraise and go and try and win the game.
Nothing summed up Ireland’s frustration on Saturday quite like the sight of Shane Long slapping his thighs in exasperation after another long ball was lumped in his general direction and cleaned up by Belgium.
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John O’Shea insists the Republic of Ireland still have a “big chance” of reaching the knockout stage of Euro 2016. “We have to rectify that in few days time”.
