The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 hopes hang by a thread as they went down 3-0 to Belgium at a packed out Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux.
After a goalless first half, an Axel Witsel header sandwiched between a brace from Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a deserved victory which re-ignites their hopes of making the knock-out stages and leaves Martin O'Neill's side probably needing to beat Italy in their final game in Lille next Wednesday to have a realistic chance of progressing.
Belgium were the better side from the start and enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. However, the Irish defence dealt with any threat comfortably enough in the opening quarter of an hour, although Toby Alderweireld headed a Kevin De Bruyne corner narrowly off target before the Manchester City star swung in a dangerous free-kick from the left which evaded everyone but drifted just wide of the far post.
The green army's Euro dream was all but extinguished 20 minutes from time as Lukaku slotted his second with a near exact replica of his opener.
With the Irish defence caught out of position up field, Belgium broke quickly as Hazard skipped past Ciaran Clark before finding Lukaku who had the simple task of slotting the ball beyond Randolph's despairing dive.
Ireland worked hard to get what could have proven a crucial goal, but the closest they came was when subsitute Aiden McGeady headed wide from ten yards as Belgium held on for a comfortable and much deserved win.
