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.
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Belgium were made to wait for those goals, just as they were made to wait for their first statement of this tournament, but the difference with this game was that it looked very likely form the start.
His main disappointment about the Belgium defeat was how his side conceded the first goal soon after halftime while Ireland were still complaining about not getting a penalty for Toby Alderweireld’s high challenge that caught Shane Long on the head.
Lukaku controlled the ball before striking it viciously from just outside the area past Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
It was the second match at Euro 2016 for The Boys In Green, following their opening draw with Sweden.
In the blink of an eye, while several Irish players were still remonstrating with referee Cüneyt Çakir, Belgium counter-attacked through Kevin De Bruyne.
Ireland worked hard to get what could have proven a crucial goal, but the closest they came was when subsitute Aiden McGeady headed wide from ten yards as Belgium held on for a comfortable and much deserved win. “The way we responded was good and we really deserved this victory”.
The attacker, outrageously lapping the linesman on the outside, raced to meet the pass before crossing for Lukaku who swept home with aplomb as Belgium secured their biggest winning scoreline at a major worldwide tournament in 46 years.
Axel Witsel doubled the score in the 61st, when he jumped above Ireland midfielder James McCarthy to head in Thomas Meunier’s cross for his first global goal in almost two years.
“When you’re attacking, you’re at your most vulnerable, so we’ll have to work on that”.
“Belgium was the better team throughout the whole game, but it was a pity we let three goals in”, he said.
The Everton midfielder was left off the pace as Witsel – who wants to leave Zenit St Petersburg and has been targeted by Koeman – ghosted into the box to head in the second goal. Wilmots made a point of embracing Lukaku after his first goal, saying he wanted to show the striker he still had faith in him.
“I think we are going to change over – we’re going to start following Northern Ireland now, are we?” he laughed with a friend.
“I bluffed”, Wilmots told reporters.”But the players were aware of it”.
“I think individually they are as talented a team as any in the competition”, Ireland coach Martin O’Neill said.
The win propelled Belgium into second place in the “Group of Death”.
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Defender and captain John O’Shea added: “We have a big chance now against Italy”.
