Tonight is an especially emotional occasion for Shane Long, whose professional career was launched as a teenager when his former manager at Cork City, Pat Dolan, recommended the raw but promising young striker to his twin brother, Eamonn Dolan, Reading's academy boss.

Long moved to Reading and his first coach was Eamonn, who quickly had a big influence over his early development as a professional. Eamonn died yesterday at the age of 48 after a long battle with cancer. 

There could be no better tribute than Long scoring the winner tonight. Written in the stars?

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It's a tale of two strikers in Nice. Romelu Lukaku put a disappointing outing in Belgium's opener behind him with a two-goal display against the Republic of Ireland. Meanwhile Swedish star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is yet to score at Euro 2016 and is goalless in his last four games for Sweden.

The 34-year-old will retire from international football after the tournament and is still hoping to bow out in style. "To finish with a disappointment - never," he said on Tuesday.

Lukaku's goals were vindication for Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, who opted to stand by the forward despite calls for him to be dropped after their opening game defeat.

The situation could not be more different for Ibrahimovic. The Swede entered the tournament to much fanfare, yet he is still to test an opposition goalkeeper as indeed are any of his team-mates. Sweden are the only country yet to have a shot on target.

The Republic of Ireland HAVE TO WIN. If they win, they're through. Anything else and they are home.

The pitch is awful. Italy are playing their reserves. Ireland have gone 4-4-2 with Daryl Murphy up top. 

Got to go big...

Image source, EPA

Italy are already through as group winners (and will face Spain in the last 16). They can’t be caught by Belgium because of their superior head-to-head record.

Italy beat Belgium 2-0 in the opening game of the group.

Belgium only need a point against Sweden this evening to secure qualification as runners-up – which would see them meet Hungary.

Belgium will be out if they lose and the Republic of Ireland beat Italy. If the Irish fail to win, Belgium can lose by up to a three-goal margin and still be assured of finishing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Capiche? 

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Twenty-two years ago the Italy squad which faced Ireland was laced with seven AC Milan players.

Four years ago, when Mario Balotelli helped Italy beat Ireland in the Euros, that number was down to three.

This summer, just a single player from the famous club made the final 23. Reserve full-back Mattia di Sciglio.

It just doesn't feel right does it?

It is actually only two years since the sides last met - they played out a 0-0 draw in a friendly in May 2014.

The World Cup warm-up for Italy ended in a goalless draw at Craven Cottage...

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Ireland team v Italy, 2014: Forde; Coleman, O'Shea, Pearce, Ward; Hendrick, Meyler; Pilkington, Hoolahan, McGeady; Long

Graziano Pelle. Eder. Simone Zaza.

Ciro Immobile. Lorenzo Insigne. Stephan el Shaarawy.

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Antonio Conte wasn't hanging about when naming attacking options in his squad. The only thing is the six attackers have only scored 16 international goals between them.

That's the same number as Shane Long. Robbie Keane has got 67....

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The squad in 94 by the way had this lot to go at:

Roberto Baggio. Pierluigi Casiraghi. Daniele Massaro. Gianfranco Zola. Beppe Signori.

GOOOOLLLLLLLLLLAZZZOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

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Belgium are the highest-ranked side at Euro 2016 but they've only really shown flashes of what makes them one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Helped by a fine Romelu Lukaku display, they were hugely impressive in the second half of their 3-0 win against the Republic of Ireland. However, they were terrible in the first 45 minutes, and in the entire game against Italy.

Which Belgium will turn up today?

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Stade Pierre Mauroy

Image source, BBC sport

Image source, BBC Sport

The weather outside is gorgeous so it is a bit bewildering to climb up to your seat inside the futuristic Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille to find the roof is closed.

It is because "extreme rain" is due to arrive in Lille later this evening, apparently.The only forecast I am going to make is "extreme pain" for the masses of Republic of Ireland fans if they do not get the win they need to make the last 16.

Could this be Zlatan's Ibrahimovic's final international game for Sweden? They need to win and the striker starts alongside Marcus Berg, who replaces John Guidetti.

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots makes one change to the side that beat the Republic of Ireland, with the injured Mousa Dembele replaced by Radja Nainggolan.

That kit is very Tour de France isn't it? Lovely. 

Ray Houghton's winner against Italy in 1994 is the stuff of legend - and he believes that the current crop can make it through tonight.

"We have to create more and control possession," Houghton said. "Ultimately, it'll come down to two things - our attitude and theirs."

Italy are already confirmed as group winners and manager Antonio Conte has made eight changes.

For Houghton, this could be a mixed blessing for the Boys in Green.

Image source, Getty Images

"England made six changes on Monday and were flat," he said,

"If Italy make nine changes, that's nine new faces that have not played together much or might not gel straight away.

"But, at the same time, Italy play Spain in the next round and, if I was one of those players, I would want to be in that game."

Will Zlatan Ibrahimovic add to his six goals at a European Championship tonight? It might be his last chance, because if Sweden lose they will be going home. Zlatan says he will retire after the tournament.

For a reminder of just what he can do on the international stage, have a click on the above video.

Sweden will qualify with a win against Belgium – but any other result means that they are out. They will finish as runners-up with victory, as long as the Republic of Ireland don’t beat Italy by at least three goals.

If Sweden and Ireland both claim victories, and the Irish win by at least a three-goal margin, it becomes possible for Sweden to drop to third (though they would still go through).

Image source, Reuters

Italy boss Antonio Conte suggested he would make "seven to nine" changes for this game and he has kept his word, making eight changes. Only Florenzi, Barzagli and Bonucci remain from the side that beat Sweden

Italy XI: Sirigu, De Sciglio, Ogbonna, Zaza, Florenzi, Thiago Motta, Immobile, Sturaro, Barzagli, Bonucci, Bernardeschi

Martin O'Neill makes four changes for the Republic of Ireland's must-win game. Defenders John O'Shea and Ciaran Clark come in for Shane Duffy and Richard Keogh.

James McClean makes his first start on the right wing and Daryl Murphy lines up in attack alongside Shane Long.

Republic of Ireland XI: Randolph, Coleman, Keogh, Duffy, Ward; McClean, Hendrick, McCarthy, Brady, Long, Murphy.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

I have been around a long time and all the Italian teams, regardless of their form before hand, get it absolutely right in the tournament. I don't know why we are surprised.  

Ireland fans, how are the nerves? Can you beat Italy tonight?Is hitting Daryl Murphy the answer? 

Let's be having your views. Text in on 81111 or tweet us at #bbceuro2016

BBC Radio 5 Live

Commentary on tonight's action is on BBC Radio 5 live and, as ever, you can listen on the radio or online via this page or the BBC Sport app.

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The Republic of Ireland will play this crucial Euro 2016 match on a pitch that Uefa says is "irreversibly damaged". Excellent.

The playing surface at Lille's Stade Pierre Mauroy cut up during France's draw against Switzerland on Sunday, with players losing their footing.

Bad weather is being blamed, despite a retractable roof at the stadium, and the pitch will be replaced on Friday.

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