Three second-half goals have seen Belgium ease past the Republic of Ireland in a 3-0 win.
Final Score:
Belgium 3
Republic of Ireland 0
It’s a do or die battle for both Belgium and the Republic of Ireland as they look to keep pace in Group E. Join us on The Roar from 11pm AEST for all of the action.
With the weight of expectation on them, it looks like once again Belgium are struggling with it. Falling to Italy 2-0 in their opening game, Belgium were lacking a cutting edge up front with their many stars unable to produce when it mattered most.
Romelu Lukaku was particularly poor up front with substitute Divock Origi looking a lot more threatening up from when he came on in his place.
Currently ranked second in the world, the Euros are a chance for the Belgians to prove their worth and they’ll need to do a better job of it against a solid Republic of Ireland side.
Forced to settle for an opening game draw with Sweden, the Republic of Ireland did well to keep the Swedes and importantly Zlatan Ibrahimovic under wraps. An own the goal in the 71st minute was their only undoing as they drew 1-1.
Despite the disappointing result, if they can defend with the same tenacity tonight, they are more than capable of keeping Belgium goalless – something they’ll likely have to do if they are to walk away from the game with anything meaningful.
History between these two favours the Belgians who are unbeaten in their last six games with the Republic of Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland are historically low scorers at the Euros having never scored more than one goal in a match, so will need to be at their defensive best if this is to be a game they are to win.
Will Belgium bounce back after a disappointing start or can the Republic of Ireland continue their frustration?
Join us on The Roar from 11pm to find out as Belgium play the Republic of Ireland in a Group E battle.
Gentile
Guest
20 minutes discussing that high foot challenge, like it changed the outcome of the game???? Ruud Gullit is getting sick of the bias commentary.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
Click here for the full match report from this game Fulltime Belgium announce themselves at Euro 2016 with a brilliant second-half. A double to Lukaku and Witsel header securing them the victory over a lacklustre Ireland side. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+3' Brady does well to keep an Ireland attack going with McGeady ultimately heading wide. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90' Three minutes of added time to come. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90' Ward shoots high and wide on the volley for Ireland. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
89' Benteke and Mertens link up well on the edge of the box with the latter's pass unable to find the Liverpool striker in the box. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
85' McClean goes for goal from the free-kick but can't find it as his efforts fizzes wide. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
84' Keane wins a foul in Belgium's final third. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
83' De Bruyne pivots well, shoots from range and has his shot on goal saved comfortably by Randolph. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
83' There will be no hat-trick for Lukaku who is replaced by Benteke. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
80' Mertens shoots high and wide from the edge of the box. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
79' Ireland fail to create anything menacing as Belgium win the ball back. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
78' Ireland win themselves a corner as they replace Long with Keane. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
You called it mate, i hope for Ireland's sake it doesn't get too ugly. Great to see Belgium firing again though.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
72' Ireland substitution following that goal saw Hoolahan replaced by McGeady. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
This is where it can get ugly
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
Goal- Belgium (Lukaku 70') Belgium counter through Hazard who does well to keep the ball alive down the right. He creates a two on one, with Hazard unselfishly passing to a free Lukaku in the box who takes his time to tuck it past Randolph. Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
68' De Bruyne shoots high from range. Belgium 2 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
67' Coleman does well inside the Belgium box to win the ball but he can only lob it into the arms of Courtois. Belgium 2 Republic of Ireland 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
66' An earlier substitution for Ireland saw McClean replace McCarthy. Belgium 2 Republic of Ireland 0