Ireland 0 Belgium 3: When Ireland’s Euro 2016 isn’t being very different to Ireland’s Euro 2012, it’s being, well, much too alarmingly like it.

Aiden McGeady’s difficulty could turn out to be Anthony Pilkington’s opportunity, as the winger’s withdrawal from the Irish squad is sure to prompt some deep thinking by Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of next Friday’s World Cup clash with Sweden.

All the talk after England’s uninspiring yet nevertheless, satisfactory, draw against France was that one victory over Sweden on Friday will leave them within touching distance of the quarter-finals and potentially kick-start a new era under manager Roy Hodgson.

Sweden 3 Scotland 0

Sven-Goran Eriksson insists he is “not married” to David Beckham and not afraid to axe the England skipper if he plays badly.