Romelu Lukaku scored twice to help Belgium bounce back from its opening defeat at the European Championship, with a 3-0 victory against Ireland. Belgium's victory in the Group E match in Bordeaux on Saturday came as its much-vaunted attack finally sprang to life after wasting a series of chances in the first half. Lukaku opened the scoring in the 48th minute from a quick counterattack that owed much to Kevin De Bruyne's burst down the right flank. Lukaku controlled De Bruyne's square pass before driving the ball low into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area. Axel Witsel doubled the score in the 61st, when he jumped above Ireland midfielder James McCarthy to head in Thomas Meunier's cross for his first international goal in nearly two years. Ireland tried to fight back but was one again caught out by a pacey Belgian counterattack, as Eden Hazard raced down the right from inside his own half before squaring for Lukaku, who slotted the ball past Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Lukaku's second goal came in the 70th after another swift Belgian move. Eden Hazard set up an unmarked Lukaku in the penalty area, who slotted home from close range. The result was a fair illustration of Belgium's dominance in the match. It was also a welcome return to form by the Red Devils following a disappointing first match in Group E against Italy, which it lost 2-0. Ireland has a point from its 1-1 draw against Sweden in its first match. Both sides still have a chance to progress to the knockout stages of Euro 2016. Belgium plays Sweden next while Ireland meets Italy, which has won the group. (For more sportsnews andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/223301.aspx
