BELGIUM 3 REP OF IRELAND 0
came ready for the battle. They dominated possession, with Carrasco, Dembele and De Bruyne seeing a lot of the ball.
De Bruyne was causing danger wherever he went, with a corner glanced narrowly wly wi d e by To b y Alderweireld, a rightwing cross thumped over by Hazard.
And when the ball did find the net – from Carrasco after Dee Bruyne’s glorious chip p– – the winger was deemed emed offside.
Al d erwei rel d and Jan Vertonghen had chances before the break arrived as the red wave continued to pound the Irish goal. Jeff Hendrick was booked for kicking a spare ball into play, while striker Shane Long conceded a free- kick, despite having been assaulted by three defenders. The There were no cha changes in personnel at half time, but the b big game changer came just three minutes after the break. De Bruyn e sw swept past James Mc McCarthy on the right wing, rolled the ball inside to the advancing Lukaku and the Everton man expertly curled home past Darren Randolph. Ireland reacted well, but they failed to seriously threaten keeper Thibaut Courtois before the second Belgium goal arrived.
They completed 28 passes before Witsel lost McCarthy and headed home from Meunier’s cross.
James McClean replaced McCarthy almost instantly, but the West Brom winger’s impact was not as desired – with their third goal coming after he lost possession in attack.
Meunier nicked the ball and broke at pace, feeding Hazard who skipped past Clark’s desperate tackle.
The No.10 surged forward and gave Lukaku his second goal on a plate – ending any hopes Ireland had of a comeback.