FARAJA YOHANA
Host
Full-time: Republic of Ireland 0 Belgium 3
And that is that. A very professional performance by Belgium,
crowned by two goals from Romelu Lukaku either side of an Axel Witsel
header. The result reinvigorates Belgium's campaign and it also means
that Italy are confirmed as winners of Group E.
But for Ireland, they have everything to do when they meet Italy in Lille on Wednesday night. In all likelihood, nothing less than a win will be sufficient.
But for Ireland, they have everything to do when they meet Italy in Lille on Wednesday night. In all likelihood, nothing less than a win will be sufficient.
Full-time: Republic of Ireland 0 Belgium 3
This man will be happy!
80min - Mertens fires over the ball
Belgium going after a fourth goal and Dries
Mertens, who certainly isn't afraid to have a shot, attempts a volley as
the ball pops up to him. It goes over the bar.
GOAL! Ireland 0 Belgium 3 (Lukaku 70)
And it's three following a lightning counter-attack. From
defending in their own penalty box, Belgium break as Eden Hazard picks
up the ball on the right. There's a kamikaze tackle by Ciaran Clark on
halfway that Hazard evades and he skips away. Two-against-one in their
favour, it's rolled across to Lukaku, who picks out the bottom corner.
Lovely move and Ireland now need to watch their goal difference.
63min - Substitutions for both sides
Martin O'Neill takes the opportunity to bring on some fresh legs, with James McClean replacing James McCarthy in the midfield.
And for Belgium, Carrasco does finally go off, replaced by Dries Mertens.
And for Belgium, Carrasco does finally go off, replaced by Dries Mertens.
GOAL! Ireland 0 Belgium 2 (Witsel 61)
Oh goodness me, it's a long way back for Ireland now. A
second goal for Belgium and some weaknesses exposed in the Irish back
line. A cross from the right-hand side by Thomas Meunier and it's met
with a firm Axel Witsel header that Darren Randolph cannot keep out.
Some alarmingly slack defending from Ireland and they've been punished
for it. The green-shirted masses silenced.
GOAL! Ireland 0 Belgium 1 (Lukaku 48)
They huffed and puffed in the first-half, but finally Belgian
have broken the deadlock. As you might expect, it was crafted by Kevin
de Bruyne, who ran clear down the right-hand side and squared to Romelu
Lukaku. Advancing to just outside the box, he placed a lovely shot into
the bottom corner and then sprints off to leap into the arms of his
coach Marc Wilmots. It is a deserved lead and now Ireland have to show
something in attack.
GOAL! Ireland 0 Belgium 1 (Lukaku 48)
Off we go again then...
There was some concern over Yannick Carrasco, who sustained an injury late in the first-half, but he has re-emerged and will continue.
There was some concern over Yannick Carrasco, who sustained an injury late in the first-half, but he has re-emerged and will continue.
Half-time: Republic of Ireland 0 Belgium 0
37min - Header by Alderweireld
A potential problem for Ireland's Robbie Brady, who is
holding his groin after being smacked by the ball there. He gets up and
jogs off gingerly.
At the other end, a De Bruyne corner is met by Toby Alderweireld but there's no power on his header and Randolph collects.
At the other end, a De Bruyne corner is met by Toby Alderweireld but there's no power on his header and Randolph collects.
25min - Belgium goal ruled out for offside
Another brilliant ball in from De Bruyne - who really is
pulling the strings for Belgium today - that finds Carrasco's run in
behind. He prods a shot towards goal and Darren Randolph makes a
magnificent save to push it onto the crossbar. The rebound is put into
the net but the assistant's flag was up for offside anyway against
Carrasco.
21min - Hazard lets Ireland off the hook
Great chance for Belgium! De Bruyne, this time on the
right-hand side, delivers a delicious cross into Lukaku that is headed
only as far as Eden Hazard. He has time to shoot but takes it first time
and, luckily for Ireland, blazes it high over the bar. A let-off.
19min - Long's header touched over
A dangerous Wes Hoolahan cross almost reaches Shane Long and
is headed behind for Ireland's first corner of the game. Robbie Brady
takes it and a near-post flick on by Long has to be touched over the bar
by Courtois. Better from Ireland.
Jan Vertonghen of Belgium shows a silky touch during the opening stages
13min - Alderweireld sends his header wide
The first corner of the game falls to Belgium and there is a
moment of panic as De Bruyne's whipped inswinging corner is headed wide
of the mark by Toby Alderweireld. Ireland a little loose in their
marking there, as Lukaku had also broken loose.
Ireland coach Martin O'Neill, left, and Belgium coach Marc Wilmots greet each other
11min - Long working hard for the cause
A little glimmer for Ireland as the sunshine finally emerges
from behind its cloud in Bordeaux. Shane Long isn't shy in chasing down
lost causes and he rushes Thibaut Courtois into a clearance after a back
pass is marginally underhit.
6min - Carrasco cross cut out
More pressure from Belgium, who have started well, and there
is a right-sided cross from Yannick Carrasco that has to be gathered by
Irish keeper Darren Randolph at his near post. Despite the bright start,
coach Marc Wilmots, dressed in a white shirt, stands looking
unimpressed on the touchline.
The two teams are in the tunnel
Here we go then... the two teams have assembled themselves in
the tunnel at the Stade de Bordeaux. Ireland in green tracksuits,
Belgium in their red and black strips.
And there is an almighty roar from the crowd as they walk out...
And there is an almighty roar from the crowd as they walk out...
8 minutes until kick-off in Bordeaux...
Not much longer to wait now. The two sets of players will be
making their final preparations inside the changing rooms as the final
fans take their seats. The atmosphere is building nicely in Bordeaux.
Encouragement for Ireland
8 - #BEL
have conceded a goal in each of their last 8 games, their longest run
without a clean sheet for 30 years (9 games in 1986). Holes.
Croatia have been charged over the crowd disturbances which
marred the latter stages of their Euro 2016 match against the Czech
Republic on Friday.
Flares were thrown on the pitch and fighting broke out in the Croatian end during their 2-2 Group D draw.
English referee Mark Clattenburg was forced to stop the game with four minutes left while a steward was almost hit by a firecracker, as was Croatian goalscorer Ivan Perisic.
Turkey face charges of setting off fireworks, throwing objects and invading the pitch.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY
Flares were thrown on the pitch and fighting broke out in the Croatian end during their 2-2 Group D draw.
English referee Mark Clattenburg was forced to stop the game with four minutes left while a steward was almost hit by a firecracker, as was Croatian goalscorer Ivan Perisic.
Turkey face charges of setting off fireworks, throwing objects and invading the pitch.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY
The Stade de Bordeaux is filling up nicely as we enter the final countdown to kick-off in the first of our three Euro 2016 matches today - Ireland vs Belgium.
Here's a reminder of the two line-ups for you:
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembele, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard, Romelu Lukaku
Substitutes: Mignolet, Nainggolan, Fellaini, Mertens, Denayer, Origi, Kabasele, Benteke, Jordan Lukaku, Batshuayi, Ciman, Gillet
Republic of Ireland: Randolph, Coleman, O'Shea, Clark, Ward, Hendrick, Whelan, McCarthy, Brady, Hoolahan, Long
Substitutes: Westwood, Keogh, McGeady, Keane, McClean, Duffy, Walters, Christie, Meyler, Murphy, Quinn, Given
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)
Post a Comment