That wasn't what we were hoping for. It wasn't entirely unexpected either.
Did Ireland deserve a penalty for a foul on Shane Long just before Belgium broke to break the deadlock.
You could say that it would have been a completely different game if that penalty was awarded. You'd assume that Ireland would have scored, and Lukaku wouldn't have scored Belgium's first. Then Ireland are defending a 1-0 lead and the next 45 minutes are completely different.
Especially when you think that this referee has previous in this area by sending Nani off for the same thing - but not in the box. The box changes everything it seems. Is that fair?
No penalty for Shane Long getting kicked in the head. Same ref sent off Nani vs Real for this pic.twitter.com/wV52yVwUBO
— Cillian Kelly (@irishpeloton) June 18, 2016
Now I'm not saying that the Republic of Ireland would have secured an historic victory over Belgium with his one decision. I'm not even saying we'd have secured a draw. But the game would have been very different, we'd have had a chance - and our goal difference wouldn't have been as screwed as it is.
Richie Sadlier did hit the nail on the head in terms of the difference between the two sides though:
Yes this was a mistake by the referee, but let's not get sidetracked by what-if's. Totally outclassed here. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/vQGGrPQTcv
— Richie Sadlier (@RichieSadlier) June 18, 2016
