Lukaku revives Belgium's Euro 2016 chances in Ireland rout

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium restored its credibility in a 3-0 win over Ireland on Saturday.

The Irish had kept the Belgians at bay for the first 45 minutes, but the quality of Marc Wilmots' side finally shone through in the second.

Lukaku coolly slipped in his 16th goal for his country almost immediately after the interval and midfielder Axel Witsel doubled the advantage with a timely header.

The Everton forward then recorded his 17th strike for the Red Devils in the 70th minute, joining the counterattack before easily converting an uncontested shot in the penalty area.

Related: Lukaku opens Euro account vs. Ireland after De Bruyne artistry

Wilmots had fielded questions about his approach in Belgium's Group E opener against Italy, an eventual 2-0 loss to the Azzurri. But the 47-year-old manager made two key changes in Saturday's contest, dropping Marouane Fellaini and Radja Nainggolan for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and Witsel, respectively.

That adjustment freed Kevin De Bruyne to occupy a more central position behind Lukaku, and the Manchester City playmaker teed up his Premier League counterpart for the first goal.

Lukaku is the first Belgium international to score twice in a single match at a major tournament since Wilmots did it in 1998.

The result puts Belgium in second place on three points, while Ireland remains tied with Sweden on a solitary point. Ireland must beat Italy to have a chance of qualifying for the next round.

Meanwhile, the Azzurri, with a full six points, will enter the knockout stage as the group winner. They hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Belgium.