Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium earned a comfortable 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in their Group E clash in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Marc Wilmots's side had questions to answer following their opening 2-0 defeat to Italy, but they managed to respond this afternoon to pick up their first win at Euro 2016.

Lukaku and Axel Witsel contributed to the scoreline, while Ireland were forced to accept a defeat that has left them on one point, meaning that they need to beat group winners Italy in their final game in order to qualify for the last 16.

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As expected, Belgium took early control of the match, and Kevin De Bruyne quickly found his stride as he orchestrated the majority of his team's attacks.

In the fifth minute, the Manchester City man showed intent as he turned away from his marker in the box before knocking the ball wide to Yannick Carrasco, whose low cross was collected by goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

There was a nervy moment for Belgium when Thomas Meunier's loose back pass towards Thibaut Courtois was almost pounced on by Shane Long, but aside from that moment, the Irish forward cut a frustrated figure in the first half.

Belgium were constantly on the front foot, but for the most part, Ireland managed to keep them at bay by staying disciplined in their shape.

De Bruyne came close to an assist when he whipped the ball in from the corner flag to find Toby Alderweireld, whose glancing header fizzed across goal, but none of his teammates attacked it.

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An opportunity almost opened up for Ireland in the 22nd minute when they latched on to a misplaced pass, and Wes Hoolahan ended up with the ball on the edge of the box.

The Norwich City man needed to simply roll the ball forward to Jeff Hendrick, but he took too many touches, allowing Alderweireld to get a tackle in.

Belgium had the ball in the net two minutes later when Carrasco headed past Randolph after his initial flick bounced off the post, but the Atletico Madrid forward was ruled offside.

A spell in Ireland's half resulted in a free kick for O'Neill's side, but it was wasted as Ciaran Clark's header was too high for Long to get on the end of.

Belgium continued to knock on the door as De Bruyne and Eden Hazard linked up well, but the players struggled to find that final touch, with Lukaku in particular having a quiet opening 45 minutes.

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After the break, though, the Everton striker managed to find a spark as he found the bottom corner after a crisp counter-attack from Belgium.

De Bruyne led the charge down the right-hand side of the pitch before playing the ball across to Lukaku, who sent it into the back of the net with his left foot.

It was an unfortunate time to concede for the Irish as they could have had a penalty at the other end due to Alderweireld's high leg in the box while trying to defend a free kick.

After conceding, Ireland played more positively and created more attacking movements, and there was a half-hearted call for a handball when Thomas Vermaelen's clearance hit the hand of Witsel on the outside of the box, but his teammate knew little about it.

Robbie Brady tried to find an equaliser when Hendrick's cross for Long bounced into the path of the Norwich City player, who whacked a shot from inside the box, but it bounced off a Belgian shirt.

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Ireland were dealt a hammer blow when Witsel put his nation two goals to the good after Meunier drifted the ball into the box to find the Zenit St Petersburg midfielder, who headed past Randolph.

Clark, who scored an own goal against Sweden in Ireland's opener, was at fault for Belgium's third goal as he lunged in on Hazard, who was too quick for the defender and broke free from the challenge.

The Chelsea playmaker then passed the ball across to Lukaku, who stormed into the centre of the box before slotting the ball home.

Ireland struggled to get back into the game as Belgium comfortably saw out the match to claim all three points.

Written by
Danielle Joynson