From size of stadia to size of budgets, from the number of internationals in their respective ranks to previous achievements in elite European competition — by whatever measurement you chose to compare and contrast Dundalk and Zenit St Petersburg, the two clubs seemed separated by a gulf of almost cosmic proportions going into their Europa League game in Tallaght on Thursday night.

It probably says everything about what Dundalk are achieving this season that the overriding feeling at the end of this defeat to Zenit was one of acute disappointment.

After Dundalk had taken a giant step towards a third successive league title by beating Longford Town 3-0 on Monday night, Stephen Kenny surveyed a dressing room which resembled a field hospital more than a party zone, with players stretched out on benches nursing injuries or simply laid low by sheer fatigue, as a fourth game in 10 days took its toll.

As Stephen Kenny was delivering his post-match team talk in the dressing rooms of Oriel Park on Tuesday night, he turned and asked “Where’s Daryl?”.

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.

I have to say I was surprised by Martin O’Neill expressing disappointment the Irish players didn’t do more with the ball in the defeat to Belgium on Saturday.

Jeff Hendrick has told the Republic of Ireland they have nothing to lose in their do-or-die Euro 2016 clash with Italy.

Shane Long left Bordeaux fuming after being denied a penalty which might have changed the course of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign.

Despite seeing our Boys in Green lose 3-0 to Belgium, the Irish fans are still in great voice in Bordeaux.

Argentina eased into the World Cup semi-finals as a disappointing Belgium side made a low-key exit from the tournament.

Belgium 2 USA 1 (after extra time)

Belgium 2 USA 1 (after extra time)

Substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens prevented Belgium's much-hyped World Cup campaign falling flat as they came from behind to beat Algeria today.

Borussia Dortmind 1 Zenit St Petersburg 2 (Dortmund win 5-4 on aggregate)

Marcel Schmelzer’s second-half volley was enough to hand Borussia Dortmund a fine 2-1 win over Real Madrid and move the German champions to the top of Group D.

Wales 0 Belgium 2

Zenit St Petersburg last night completed the sensational capture of Brazilian forward Hulk from FC Porto on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be €50 million.

There can be little doubt that Frank Lampard was right when he said that Chelsea are no longer the force of old, but they still have the knack of winning games they don’t deserve to.

Benfica 0 Chelsea 1

Benfica produced a dynamic performance to overturn a first-leg deficit against Zenit St Petersburg and earn a place in the last eight of the Champions League last night.

Benfica 2 Zenit St Petersburg 0 (Benfica win 4-3 on aggregate)

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Achilles’ heel, a defence that has displayed uncharacteristic flaws in Europe and at home so far this season, again cost Alex Ferguson dear following 80 potentially disastrous seconds that leaves them facing the possibility of Champions League elimination.

Manchester United 2 Benfica 2

THE script was written long in advance. It is one of the sadnesses of modern football that whenever a (relatively) small side does well, all the talk is not of their success but of where their members may go next.

THE return of Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery failed to inspire France as, for the second time in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, they laboured to a 2-0 win over Luxembourg in Group D.

Austria 0 Belgium 2

Arsenal 2 Standard Liege 0

Arsenal rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone will make his Champions League debut in tonight’s Group H opener against Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Albert Riera struck a stoppage-time winner as European champions Spain bounced back from a half-time deficit to defeat Turkey in Istanbul and further strengthen their stranglehold on Group Five.

EVERTON’S sorry start to the season continued last night as David Moyes’ side crashed out of their second cup competition in the space of eight days.

Standard Liege 2 Everton 1 (Agg: 4-3)

Liverpool 1 Standard Liege 0 (after extra-time)

Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0