Crushed... but determined to beat Italy now
After 3-0 defeat to Belgium, Ireland just need a minor miracle
THE BOYS IN GREEN are left needing a minor miracle following a gutwrenching 3-0 defeat to Belgium in the European Championships.
Martin O’Neill’s men will have to rekindle USA ’94 glory days on Wednesday and beat an impressive Italy side if they wish to qualify from Group E and keep their summer tour going.
Ireland had been buoyed all week by waffle from the Belgian camp about internal strife and division.
But on the day, Ireland were outplayed and outclassed by the highest ranking team in the tournament.
Not even a gutsy rendition of The Fields Of Athenry, bellowed out by Ireland’s world-famous support in the 69th minute, could stop the Belgians scoring their third and final goal.
The silver lining from a cloudy Saturday in Bordeaux is the fact that the Italians have already qualified, prompting their manager, Antonio Conte, to suggest he will field a second-string side against Ireland in four days’ time.
The top two teams in each of the six groups at the Euros are guaranteed to qualify for the round of 16.
With Belgium expected to beat Sweden, a win could allow Ireland to sneak into the last 16 by finishing as one of the four best third-placed teams out of the six groups.
‘We’ll throw absolutely everything into it,’ Martin O’Neill said last night about the Italy game. ‘We must go and win it.’
The Irish fans have been winning plaudits for their relaxed and fun attitude, with even the players’ wives and girlfriends mixing with the crowds.
Robbie Keane’s wife Claudine caused a stir yesterday at the packed Opera Square in Bordeaux when she emerged from her hotel with her son Robert Jr. Fans from both Ireland and Belgium flocked to her side to wish her well and pass on their good wishes to Robbie.
Wearing a classic white jersey and figure-hugging blue ripped jeans, the mum-of-two happily posed for a number of selfies with delighted passers-by.
Her son Robert proudly wore his Irish jersey with the word ‘Daddy’ and the number 10 printed on the back.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, Claudine said she was impressed with the child-friendly nature of the city’s fan zones and the level of respect she was shown by Martin’s army.
‘It has been a fantastic journey, especially for Robert,’ she said. ‘He has been having a ball in the fan zones and has watched all the games.’
Claudine has been taking in the south of France with her mother Joan and her brother Ronan. Her eight-month-old son Hudson is at home in Ireland with his grandfather.
‘We’ll throw everything into the Italy match’