Euro 2016: Belgium 3-0 Republic of Ireland - 5 talking points

#3 Should Ireland have been given a penalty prior to Belgium’s opener?

Shane Long’s appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears

Belgium may have dominated the game, but Republic of Ireland could well have had a case for a penalty appeal early in the second half. A cross floating into the Belgium box was approaching striker Shane Long, but he was caught in the face by a high boot from Toby Alderweireld.

There were vehement appeals for a penalty from the Irish, but referee Cuneyt Cakir swiftly waved them away. To add salt to the wound, the resulting counter-attack culminated in Belgium’s opening goal – paving the way for a Belgian thumping. It was a double whammy as far as Martin O’Neill’s side was concerned and it is a decision that will not go down well with the Irish team and the fans.