Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium cruised past the Republic of Ireland with a 3-0 victory in their Euro 2016 Group E match in Bordeaux on Saturday.
Belgium dominated the contest from the opening minute but found all three of their goals in the second half with Lukaku notching a brace and Axel Witsel scoring once. Galaxy striker Robbie Keane went 12 minutes for the Irish in their defeat.
"Belgium are a good team, don't get me wrong, but we have a big chance against Italy,” Irish defender John O’Shea told reporters afterward. “Italy have been fantastic, we know it's difficult, believe me, but we have to take the positives from today and from the Sweden game, and if we do that with a bit more discipline and control we can [get a result against Italy]. We need to dust ourselves down, we see how everybody is and we go for Italy in Lyon."
Ireland will now turn their attention to their match with Group E winners Italy. The two nations will face off on Wednesday in Lille with the Irish needing a victory over the Italians to have hope of advancing to the Euro 2016 knockout rounds.
