Well that was bloody dreadful.
If all the talk in Belgium was unrest, if all the talk in Ireland was spirit, both ideas will have to be questioned now.
Martin O’Neill’s men were well and truly beaten out the Bordeaux gates on Saturday afternoon as Marc Wilmots earned some vindication for now and enjoyed a cruising 3-0 win.
There wasn’t much adventure from the Irish in the first 45 minutes but they got in level at the break before collapsing spectacularly in the second period.
Here’s how we rated their performance.
Darren Randolph – 6
Absolutely stunning reactions, agility, and strength to turn Carrasco’s first half effort onto the crossbar – especially considering it didn’t even matter in the end with the offside call. Conceded three but couldn’t really do anything about any of the goals. Romelu Lukaku had time to pick out the bottom corner, order a cup of tea, and then shoot for both of his goals and Axel Witsel’s powerful header from point blank range gave him no chance.
Seamus Coleman – 6
Relentlessly and ruthlessly hounded Jan Vertonghen down the wing for what must’ve been at least 60 metres, only to be penalised inexplicably. Got forward much more than he did against Sweden and formed a threatening duo with Jeff Hendrick but didn’t make any inroads on the Belgian goal. Lost the ball a few times in attack but always available.
John O’Shea – 5.5
Had no problems with the frightening aerial threat of Lukaku. He thrived off it if anything. A couple of strong tackles and interceptions for him personally.
Ciaran Clark – 4.5
Welcome to the game, Kevin De Bruyne.
Yours in sport, Ciaran fucking Clark.
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) June 18, 2016
Had a solid game. And then he forgot he was a centre half, tried to clean Eden Hazard on the touchline 40 yards from goal and Belgium got their third.
Had a Clark game, you might say.
Stephen Ward – 6
Drew one of the biggest cheers of the day when the man deputising in Jon Walters’ absence minced Kevin De Bruyne early on in the corner and took the ball clear. He might’ve been the only man to challenge the Belgian successfully for the whole game. After a while though, he started drifting very narrowly, almost standing behind the centre half and leaving gaps out wide. No mistakes though and solid in possession.
Glenn Whelan – 5
Put himself about well off the ball, not as well as he did against Sweden though. Looked more positive on the ball, trying to get forward with it especially after going behind. Lost the ball twice in dangerous areas that put Ireland under pressure.
James McCarthy – 3.5
Got absolutely embarrassed by De Bruyne as he chased him down the flank before being left on his arse watching Belgium score. Took a dangerously heavy touch in the middle straight after that and it set the opposition away again. Lost Witsel for the second goal and was brought off after 62 minutes.
Jeff Hendrick – 7
One of the few who was trying to make things happen for the whole game. Looked to get on it, his momentum was always going for the jugular and he looked menacing, if isolated for large parts. Linked up brilliantly with Coleman in the second period and really started grabbing things by the scruff of the neck when it wasn’t going Ireland’s way.
Wes Hoolahan – 5
Wasn’t allowed to roam free, the Belgians wouldn’t have it. Classically neat touches, holding onto the ball and trying to set men away but a couple of heavy touches – yes, from Wes – when openings looked possible, scuppered a few chances. Floated a bloody delicious pass in Shane Long’s direction in the first period that was just cut out but had to deal with some serious punishment too.
Robbie Brady – 6.5
Came flying out of the blocks after the second period. Deployed in midfield, he didn’t get on the ball like he would’ve hoped to in the first half but he changed that after the break and he was the main supply pump for the team. Dribbled, passed, always looking forward but didn’t really slice open the opposition and the onus was really on him, Hoolahan and Long to do it.
Shane Long – 4.5
This pretty much sums up Shane Long's afternoon playing up front for Ireland pic.twitter.com/nzLoZqXlBS
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) June 18, 2016
Another frustrating day, through no fault of his own. Ireland didn’t have much of the ball and when they did have it, they hoofed it towards an isolated striker. Wasn’t given a moment’s peace even when the country did get better territory and, despite a couple of neat touches to bring team mates into it, he couldn’t get a sight at goal and you saw him kick out at the bill boards after yet another cross in the second half floated into the ‘keeper’s hands. The team are doing him no favours.
Subs
James McClean – 5
Tried a few driving runs. One of them worked.
Aiden McGeady – 5
Won a corner.
Robbie Keane – 5.5
Set up McClean for a header straight away with a dinked pass but didn’t have any more luck than Long trying to get a look at Courtois.
