Reinvigorated by Romelu Lukaku’s goals, Belgium take on under-par Sweden on Wednesday with both sides still in the hunt for a Euro 2016 last-16 berth.
Reinvigorated by Romelu Lukaku’s goals, Belgium take on under-par Sweden on Wednesday with both sides still in the hunt for a Euro 2016 last-16 berth.
Neither side can catch Group E leaders Italy having both lost to the Azzurri. But after a slow start Marc Wilmots’ Belgium travel to the Stadium Nice with their campaign mounting.
Ranked second in the fifa world rankings, the Red Devils were widely criticised after losing 2-0 to the Italians in Lyon in their opener.
Belgium then clicked against the Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday as a second-half Lukaku brace, either side of an Axel Witsel goal completed a convincing 3-0 win.
A point against Sweden will seal their progress to the knockout stage, but Belgians had expected much more from a talented group of players containing the likes of Lukaku, skipper Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
Ireland seek historical ‘bounce’ against Italy
The Republic of Ireland can take inspiration from one of the finest moments in their footballing history as they face Italy on Wednesday.
Ireland come into their final game in Group E in Lille with a single point. They know that anything less than a win will end their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.
Italy have clinched qualification for the last 16 as group winners, having won their opening two matches, a fact that could play into the hands of Martin O’Neill’s side as they attempt to bounce back from a defeat to Belgium.
And it was inevitable that references would now be made to the 1994 World Cup in the United States, when the Irish famously beat Italy 1-0 thanks to a Ray Houghton strike to claim what remains their only competitive win over the Azzurri.
