Belgium v Republic of Ireland LIVE: Follow the action as Irish go up against Red Devils in Bordeaux
Keep up to date with the 2pm kick off at the Matmut Atlantique as Martin O'Neill and Co look for their first group stage victory
BELGIUM take on the Republic of Ireland in the crucial Euro 2016 Group E match in Bordeaux today.
The Irish drew their opening game 1-1 with Sweden, while the Belgians will look to bounce back from their first game 2-0 loss at the hands of Italy.
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4.05: So that's all from me. It's been a sobering afternoon for the Irish and their Euro 2016 hopes now hang in the balance after a comprehensive defeat at the hands of a resurgent Belgium. It's all eyes on Wednesday night in Lille now where Martin O'Neill's men must beat Italy to have any chance of making the last 16. Over to you Roy Keane and your unique motivation techniques. Goodbye.
4.03: Bully for Belgium...
3.58: And, as if by magic, it's Romelu Lukaku who's moved into contention for the Euro 2016 Golden Boot. The want away Everton striker took his two goals brilliantly. In fact, you'd almost think he'd chosen his moment to show potential suitors just what he's capable of.
3.55: Troubled times then for Martin O'Neill who have just suffered their worst competitive defeat during his tenure and also failed to register a single shot on target in a major tournament for the first time since they played Norway in the 1994 World Cup. And they were always second best today against a Belgian side who finally showed signs that they have got what it takes to go a long way in this tournament.
3.52: That win for Belgium means that Italy will now progress as the winners of Group E while Ireland will have to somehow fashion a win over Antonio Conte's impressive side on Wednesday if they're to stand any chance of making it though as one of the best third placed sides. Talk about a tall order...
3.50: All over! BELGIUM CRUSH IRELAND! FT: BELGIUM 3 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0
3.47: Three minutes of added misery for the Irish...
3.44: In fact, if I were Ciaran Clark I'd use these final few minutes to try and locate an alternative exit from the stadium rather than go back into the dressing room and face Roy Keane. That won't be pretty.
3.40: The Irish team are their own worst enemy in this second half. If I had a penny for every time they've gifted the ball to the Belgians in a dangerous position I'd have 6p. It's just happened again and this time it's Kevin De Bruyne who almost takes full advantage but his shot from 20 yards is well saved by Darren Randolph. Down the other end, it's James McClean who has a dabble from a 30-yard free-kick but it dribbles wide of the far post.
3.39: And that's the last we'll see of Romelu Lukaku today as he's replaced by his fellow bulldozer, Christian Benteke.
3.38: Well whaddya know...
3.35: And it's Shane Long who makes way for the veteran forward roller...
3.34: Robbie Keane's about to come on and score four goals in the last 14 minutes or so. You watch...
3.32: Don't bother...
3.28: Is this the first pasting of the finals? Quite possibly. Ciaran Clark misses a crucial tackle on the halfway line allowing Eden Hazard to skip through and square it for Romelu Lukaku and he has all the time in the world to pick his spot and put Belgium three goals to the good. BELGIUM 3 IRELAND 0
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!
3.24: Belgium coach Marc Wilmots always looks like someone who should be running the Queen Vic.
3.22: About time too...
3.20: A couple of changes now as Ireland swap J Mc for J Mc and Carrasco is replaced by Mertens.
3.18: It's two for Belgium and it's Axel Witsel who gets it, nodding home a beautiful cross in from the left from Meunier. Darren Randolph gets a hand to it but there's too much on it and this is a long way back for the Irish now. BELGIUM 2 IRELAND 0
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!
3.16: You know when I intimated that Romelu Lukaku was useless, well...
3.14: Enforced changed for Belgium here as Mousa Dembele injures his ankle in a challenge with Jeff Hendrick and can't continue. It's Radja Nainggolan taking his place.
3.12: Ireland want a penalty now as the ball seems to bang off Axel Witsel's arm but it's never intentional. Get on with it.
3.11: Impressive...
3.08: BOOKING! And it's Thomas Vermaelen who goes in the book for hauling down Shane Long in the centre circle. Sickening.
3.05: It's a rapid break down the right from Kevin De Bruyne and as he slips it inside to Romelu Lukaku, the Everton striker takes one touch to shift it on to his left foot and then curls a lovely low shot into the corner from the edge of the area. Quality goal all round. BELGIUM 1 IRELAND 0
GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!
3.02: The teams are back out, no changes made, and we're off again!
2.58: Not the greatest half of football you'll ever witness but Ireland are still level and the longer it goes on the more you'd fancy them to nick a goal against the run of play. Mind you, their keeper Darren Randolph attempted the most passes of any Irish player in that first 45 minutes with 17. That speaks volumes about how defensive they've been.
2.56: Straight outta Ascot...
2.48: And that's half-time! HT: BELGIUM 1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0
2.43: BOOKING! As Belgium continue to push and Toby Alderweireld's header is cleared off the line, it's Jeff Hendrick who's the first in the book for booting the ball away, even though it seems to be the second ball lobbed on by the ballboy.
2.40: Is Belgium's Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco modelling himself on Graziano Pelle? Because there's only going to be one winner if he is...
2.37: Robbie Brady has just taken one in what's euphemistically called the 'midriff' by commentators when everyone knows it's actually his crown jewels. It looks bad on first sight but even worse in high-defintion, super slo-mo. Ouch.
2.34: Eden Hazard shoots and as one inhabitant of the International Space Station leaves, another takes its place...
2.32: Kevin De Bruyne, the standout man so far, tests Darren Randolph from distance with a daisy-cutter. The West Ham man is equal to the task, falling on the ball as a 12-year-old might fall on his mate in the school yard when the 'pile on' shout goes out. Moments later, it's KDB involved again as he feeds Meunier but his flick with the outside of his right-boot is tame and well wide.
2.28: I'd stick him upfront. Go route one...
2.26: Belgium have the ball in the net through Carrasco as he latches on to De Bruyne's through ball and converts the follow-up after a fine save from Randolph. But he's a yard offside in the build-up and it won't count.
2.24: This is more like it from Ireland as they win back-to-back corners in a rare but doubtless pleasant trip into Belgian territory. But moments later, it’s Eden Hazard who should really open the scoring as the ball breaks for him 14 yards out and he blazes over. His international goal drought continues.
2.18: Another delicious delivery from the left from Kevin De Bruyne as he curls an inswinging free-kick in that evades everyone and narrowly misses the far upright. Just needed a touch from someone.
2.16: Fifteen minutes in and it's 73% possession to the Belgians. Classic rope-a-dope tactics from the Irish. Pure genius in fact.
2.15: It's the first corner of the game and it's whipped in by Price Harry from the left. It's met with a glancing header from Toby Alderweireld but it's always drifting wide of the far post.
2.13: Anybody else get hacked off with the shadow of the overhead camera following the players around the pitch? Mind you, it's quicker than John O'Shea. Decent turn of pace to be fair.
2.10: High time they rectified this then...
2.06: It's a safe pair hands from Darren Randolph as he smothers Carrasco's teasing low cross from the right. Some lovely build-up play from Kevin De Bruyne too. Belgium asking all the questions at the moment. Questions like 'are you going to try attacking at all Ireland?'
2.04: Every challenge, tackle and, well, push from Martin O'Neill's side is being cheered by the Irish fans. Like an anti-football 'Ole' routine...
2.01: Pleasantries and pennants have been exchanged, the coin tossed and the huddles conducted. Let's do this Group E thing! Belgium to kick-off. PEEEEEEEP! WE ARE OFF!
1.58: No question as to which side won the national anthems. Hats off to the Irish fans - very loud and very proud!
1.55: I'll be borrowing those once Andy Townsend pipes up. Anyway, here come the teams! And let's have the anthems!
1.54: The teams are in the tunnel at the Stade Matmut Atlantique and, as is customary these days, they're surrounded by legions of meddling kids. Haven't they got anything better to do today? Piano lessons? Ballet and tap? Scouts?
1.44: Talking of which, Romelu Lukaku hasn't scored in his last 11 games for club and country while Eden Hazard hasn't found the net in 458 minutes for Belgium. Stinkers.
1.40: It's not just Belgium's so-called 'Golden Generation' that are flattering to deceive. Why? Because Belgium have not scored a European Championship finals goal since 2000 against Sweden, who they'll face in their final group game. Emile Mpenza was the man on target. Remember him?
1.36: Your referee for today's Group E clash is a man whose name I have managed to turn into the filthiest of anagrams. Sadly, I'm not allowed to post it here. Sorry. Anyway, it's Cüneyt Çakir...
1.34: Good to see Timmy Mallet in the crowd today...
1.32: So no Marouane Fellaini for Belgium today as coach Marc Wilmots decides to spare the watching world the horror of that heinous haircut...
1.25: And some of their Irish counterparts...
1.24: A little over half an hour until kick-off in Bordeaux. Just time to bring you some anxious looking Belgian fans.
1.21: FACT ME! Belgium are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Republic of Ireland (W2, D4) dating back to a 3-2 friendly loss in 1966.
1.13: Rival fans clash in Bordeaux! Call for the water cannon!
1.11: And here is the Ireland team that could move tantalisingly close to a place in the last 16 with a win today: Randolph, Coleman, Clark, O’Shea, Whelan, McCarthy, Long, Hendrick, Ward, Brady, Hoolahan
1.09: But you want the team news, don't you? Well the wait is over. Here is your underperforming Belgium XI: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembélé, De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco, R. Lukaku
1.06: Hello, good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Belgium v Republic of Ireland, live from Bordeaux. I'm Gavin Newsham and I'll be bringing you all the action this afternoon as well as keeping you up to date as to whether Roy Keane has torn anyone a new one.
