Match Facts
Head-to-head
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Republic of Ireland (W2, D4) dating back to a 3-2 friendly loss in 1966.
- They haven't faced each other since November 1997, when Belgium beat the Republic 2-1 in a home World Cup qualifier.
- Belgian coach Marc Wilmots featured in the 1-1 draw at Lansdowne Road in the same qualifying campaign.
- The Republic of Ireland have never beaten Belgium in a competitive match (D5, L2). This is their first major tournament meeting.
- Belgium have lost six of their last eight games at the Euros (W2), suffering 2-0 defeats in their three most recent matches.
- They have conceded a goal in each of their last eight games, their longest run without a clean sheet since a nine-game streak between May-September 1986.
- Belgium have not scored a European Championship finals goal since 2000 against Sweden, who they will face in their final group game. Emile Mpenza was the man on target.
- Only five of Belgium's 18 shots in their opener against Italy were struck from inside the box.
- Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku played alongside the Irish quartet of Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady at Everton this season.
- The Republic of Ireland are competing at their third European Championship.
- They have never progressed beyond the group stages of their two previous participations at the Euros (1988, 2012).
- They have not won at the tournament in their last six games, since beating England 1-0 on their Euros debut in 1988 (D2 L4).
- The Republic of Ireland have never scored more than one goal in a game at the European Championship. However, they had four shots on target against Sweden in their opening game; their best ever tally in a game.
- Robbie Keane has scored 11 goals in his last 13 starts with the Republic of Ireland.
Romelu Lukaku scored two second-half goals to help Belgium bounce back from its opening defeat at the European Championship, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ireland.
Belgium's victory in the Group E match in Bordeaux on Saturday owed much to its much-vaunted attack, which finally sprang to life in the second-half following a fairly lacklustre display in the opening match Vs Italy which Belgium lost 2-0
Lukaku struck in the 48th minute and Axel Witsel doubled the score in the 61st minute
Eden Hazard raced down the right from inside his own half before squaring for Lukaku, who slotted the ball past Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph in the 70th.
Belgium plays Sweden next while Ireland meets Italy
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