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