2016 European Championship Group E. Bordeaux
Belgium v the Republic of Ireland.
At the end, it was a comfortable win for Belgium.
After a losing start to their tournament, Belgium made amend in their second match by being the second team to score and win by 3 goals in the 2016 European Championship.
There was a gulf in class between the teams, but both teams arrived at the match without a win to their name in the tournament. Belgium had no points as well, and that is very poor for a pre-tournament favorite in Group E.
The pressure was on Belgium to score their first goal of the tournament after a goalless first half. Four minutes after the restart, Belgium found the net. A quick counter attack and great control and strength from Kevin De Bruyne created an opportunity for Romelu Lukaku to find himself facing Republic of Ireland’s goalkeeper Darren Randolph. It was a striker’s goal, as he curled the ball into the bottom corner of the net, out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
Rep. Ireland who was relying on a defensive game plan had to find an alternative. An alternative comes at a cost.
Witsel makes it 2-0 for Belgium against Ireland. pic.twitter.com/bF64g76jzw
— Euro16 Goal (@Euro16Goal) June 18, 2016
A great possession play by Belgium ended with Axel Witsel doubling the lead in the 61st minute. He got his head on a cross from Thoman Meunier and directed it back to the direction it came from to beat Randolph. At 2-0 up, there was very little chance that Belgians were going to let this slip.
Goal difference could come in handy in the final setup of Group E so Rep.Ireland kept pressing for a consolation goal. They lacked the quality to convert the few chance they had into a goal. Thibaut Courtois had a relatively easy day at work.
Thomas Meunier dispossessed James McClean and sends the ball to Eden Hazard. Hazard had the rest of the field to run without interruption. As always Lukaku was up in an attacking position waiting for the ball to be passed to him. It was Hazard and Lukaku vs Toby Alderweireld as the only outfield player for Rep. Ireland, and Darren Randolph in goal. Hazard pass had Lukaku facing Randolph once again. The end result was the same. Belgium was 3-0 up in the 70th minute.
First win and first 3 points in the bag for Belgium. Sweden is next for them.
Rep. Ireland will take on Italy. Italy has already qualified, but they will like to win the group so it won’t be a walk in the park.
| Group E | |||||||
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | GF | GA | Points |
| Italy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Belgium | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Rep. Ireland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
