Belgium 3 Republic of Ireland 0: Irish player ratings

Darren Randolph

A glorious save from Yannick Carrasco - who was already flagged offside but still - and takes no blame for goals, especially the second when cleverly wrong footed by Axel Witsel header. Rating: 6

Seamus Coleman

Eden Hazard kept him occupied. That coupled with an utterly overrun Irish midfield made it a savage task to offer many trademark raids up the right. Rating: 6

John O’Shea

Bravely took his battering from Romelu Lukaku in the opening 45 minutes, yet it only got worse, as he was flailing in the big striker's wake for opening goal. Impossible task. Rating: 5

Ciaran Clark

From minute one it was the nightmare Aston Villa season revisited; bucketing water from a porous ship with his slight frame exposed at set piece. Criminally dived in on Hazard before third goal. Rating: 4

Stephen Ward

Thomas Meunier, Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne and even Hazard were not long smelling blood. First goal more on Brady than him but all three deliveries for the goals came from the right. Rating: 4

Glenn Whelan

One of Roy Keane's favourite "pros" to name check but the only similarity on the pitch is their position. Utterly anonymous due to a skill deficit that sees him overshadowed by world class footballers. Rating: 4

James McCarthy

Toiled, and looked exhausted when pulled after the hour. Took the initiative by pressing higher up the pitch and one of the rare Irishmen to exude calmness, playing balls to feet from the edge of his box. Rating: 5

Jeff Hendrick

Summed up Ireland's frigid attack on 32 minutes when driving through the middle only to stall before finding Thomas Vermaelen rather than Long. Impetuous yellow card for kicking second ball at first as Belgium attacked the area he should have been covering. Rating: 4

Robbie Brady

Thomas Meunier, Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne and even Hazard were not long smelling blood. Can be handed varying responsibility for all three goals. Grew into this lost cause with more inaccuracy than creativity. Rating: 4

Wes Hoolahan

Crunched by Toby Alderweireld after stalling over a real chance on 21 minutes. Hyped to foolish levels after his impressive 50 minutes against Sweden, before fading, the main reason he is Ireland's most recently polished diamond was all too evident as powerful Belgium midfielders hounded him out of this game. Rating: 5

Shane Long

No point having a decent first touch if the second or third are no-look flicks or toe-pokes to space firmly occupied by Alderweireld and Vermaelen. Devoured by these muscular centre halves. Studded Carrasco's ankle. Rating: 5

Subs

Nothing of note and too late anyway. James McClean lost possession for the third goal, Aiden McGeady proved he did not deserve to make the squad, never mind the bench, while Robbie Keane is so obviously two years past his sell by date. Rating: 3

Manager

Martin O'Neill must have shed a tear on learning the seriousness of Jon Walters achilles injury. He constructed a finely balanced, effective, workmanlike starting XI that simply could not afford to lose even one key figure. Rating: 5