Irish football fans faced a Rubik’s Cube of imponderables tonight after Martin O’Neill’s men got off to a solid start – but not a winning one – in Euro 2016.

It was an enthralling day of football in Group E, with Ireland facing Sweden in the opening game at 5pm Irish time. The tie at Stade de Francais in Paris, ended in a 1-1 draw, keeping both sides firmly in contention to qualify for the knockout stages. However, there was a view that life had become somewhat more complicated, later in the day, when Italy produced a powerful display to overcome Belgium 2-0, with goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle leaving the much fancied Belgians rooted to the bottom of what may well be the tournament’s real Group of Death.