Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0: Romelu Lukaku’s double and an Axel Witsel strike leave Irish on brink
Boys in Green slump to defeat to leave them on one point from their opening two matches as Belgium finally live up to hype
THIS was the day Belgium served notice of what they can do in this tournament.
Martin O’Neill’s Ireland had the misfortune to be standing in the way — and they were flattened.
Lukaku wraps up the win with a calm finish to give Belgium their first points
It was a match when players from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid met lads from Norwich and Burnley.
That really showed, but the game also showcased some of the Premier League’s best.
It was not just two-goal Romelu Lukaku, but Kevin De Bruyne showing the best form from his debut season with Manchester City.
Eden Hazard sparkled as well with the way he set up Lukaku’s second after bursting down the right flank.
That double from an emotional Lukaku and one from Axel Witsel meant tales of unrest off the pitch were replaced by talk of what these players can do on it. Belgium, the top-ranked side here in France, looked a shadow of themselves in their 2-0 opening game defeat against Italy.
Yesterday they came out into the sun in Bordeaux and shone so brightly.
The choreographed hugging of boss Marc Wilmots was overdoing things slightly, although to be fair it came more from him.
But the most expensively assembled side at the tournament at £319million justified that price tag, so the boss could stare down his detractors.
O’Neill said before the game that he would not be surprised to see Belgium crowned champions. Their performance backed his judgment to the hilt.
Wilmots’ men still need a result in their final group game against Sweden on Wednesday to progress, but on this form they will get it.
Ireland? Well, 22 years after they beat Italy in New York they need to do it again, this time in Lille, to stand a chance of going through.
Lukaku took his chances well after missing a good opportunity against Italy
That afternoon at USA 94 was one of the most famous in Irish football history as Ray Houghton scored and did his tumble-turn celebration.
If they can repeat that win on Wednesday then it will be right up there, too.
The good news is Italy are already guaranteed top place in the group after two wins and will probably rest a number of key players.
Still, the Republic are going to have to find ways to create more than they did yesterday.
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This was a step up from what they faced in drawing 1-1 with Sweden in Paris.
It was an achievement that O’Neill’s men were on level terms at the break against Belgium, who had enjoyed nearly twice as much possession.
That they had only two shots on target was thanks to some very good defending.
Eden Hazard reacts after smashing a good chance over the bar
Then Belgium stepped it up after the break and Ireland could not cope.
Lukaku, 23, was criticised heavily after the Italy game, with his place up front under threat from Christian Benteke. Wilmots stuck with him and was repaid handsomely.
The Everton striker started and finished the move for the opener three minutes after the break.
Playing the ball out to De Bruyne on the right, he kept pace with his slick team-mate to accept the squared return and his finish from the edge of the box was perfect, curled into the bottom left-hand corner.
Ireland had good claims for a penalty after Toby Alderweireld landed a high boot on Shane Long but it was one of the few straws they could clutch at.
The second goal came on 61 minutes with Thomas Meunier supplying the cross from the right for Witsel to storm past James McCarthy and plant a thumping header home.
Darren Randolph clears the ball only to end up tangled in his net
McCarthy was taken off immediately but his replacement James McClean did not fare much better — he was dispossessed in the build-up to the third goal on 70 minutes.
That happened deep in Belgian territory as Ireland tried to find a way back.
It was too easy for Meunier to simply wrap his foot around the ball to take it off McClean and set Hazard free down the right.
Lukaku was waiting in the middle and when Hazard found him the Everton man had time to control the ball before firing into the bottom corner.
Ireland’s stay will be cut short after just three games for a second Euros running if they cannot summon up something special against Italy.
They must find a way to get Long into the game. He has been an isolated figure up front on his own.
Robbie Brady, so good against Sweden, barely got a cross in when pushed further forward for this match.
The accomplished play that O’Neill had spoken so positively about was gone. That was down to the opposition. Belgium looked good — very, very good.
Dream team ratings
BELGIUM: Courtois 6, Carrasco 6 (Mertens 64, 6), Vermaelen 6, Witsel 6, Meunier 8, Vertonghen 7, Alderweireld 7, Hazard 8, Dembele 7 (Nainggolan 57, 6), STAR MAN DE BRUYNE 9, Lukaku 8 (Benteke 82, 5). Booked: Vermaelen.
REP OF IRELAND: Randolph 6, Hendrick 6, Whelan 7, Ward 6, Coleman 6, O’Shea 6, Hart 6, McCarthy 6 (McClean 62, 6), Hoolahan 6 (McGeady 71, 6), Brady 7, Long 6 (Keane 79, 6). Booked Hendrick.
(Dream Team ratings are compiled using Opta data)
