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Three second-half goals has seen Belgium ease past the Republic of Ireland in a 3-0 win, the Belgians bouncing back from their disappointing loss to Italy to pick apart Ireland in a particularly lethal second 45 minutes.
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Belgium started this game with plenty of intensity as they commanded possession. Ireland gave the Belgians ample opportunity to attack as they sat back. But despite all this, Belgium struggled to really break down a solid Irish backline in the first half.
A skied shot from Eden Hazard on 21 minutes from inside the box and a Jan Vertonghen header cleared off the line late on, their best opportunities in a half they showed plenty of promise in but couldn’t quite produce in the final third.
Despite playing much of the first half on the back foot, Ireland weren’t afraid to get forward and at times looked menacing, though they failed to register a shot on target after 45 minutes.
After going a game and half without a goal, the Belgian attack was hungry to score and they would satisfy that hunger shortly after half-time. Kevin De Bruyne darting forward, finding Romelu Lukaku in the middle at the top of the box, with the striker setting himself well to strike the ball perfectly into the bottom left of goal past Darren Randolph on 48 minutes.
Ireland were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty for a raised boot prior to the Belgium goal but responded well to falling behind and attacked with purpose afterwards only to fall further behind with 61 minutes played, Alex Witsel heading home Belgium’s second after some pin-point passing ended with a cross into the middle of the box that Witsel got to quickest to head purposefully past Randolph.
Having reclaimed their finishing instinct, Belgium would add another not long after, captain Eden Hazard doing well to keep the ball alive down the right in a Belgium counter as he manufactured a two-on-one at the back, Hazard unselfishly laying it off for Lukaku who took his time to tuck it past Randolph for his second of the afternoon on 70 minutes.
It was a brilliant second half from Belgium who saw out the game with Ireland failing to register a shot on target after 90 minutes.
Belgium now in the box seat to progress from Group E with a game to play against Sweden. For Ireland, progression can only be gained via a win in their last group game against Italy.
Final Score
Belgium 3
Republic of Ireland 0
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