Republic of Ireland 2
Belgium 2
Chiedozie Ogbene’s dream start to his Irish international career as he bagged a goal and assist as Stephen Kenny’s side twice rallied to draw with world number one Belgium.
The wideman scored a spectacular first-half overhead before laying a second equaliser on a plate for fellow Corkman Alan Browne as Ireland snatched a deserved draw.
Michy Batshuayi and Hans Vanaken had put the Belgians in front either side of half time but a dogged Irish side had the better of the game for long periods and earned a result.
Ogbene, who plays his football with League One frontrunners Rotherham United, made it three goals in six appearances for his country with an audacious effort.
The former Cork City and Limerick winger became the first African-born player to represent Ireland when he debuted against Hungary last summer.
And a player Stephen Kenny has long-admired delivered another outstanding performance as FIFA’s top-ranked side were twice pegged back.
Belgium came to Dublin without a host of star names as Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne sat it out as Roberto Martinez looks to build his squad for the World Cup.
The visitors still boasted plenty of star quality in their ranks, however, and none more so than striker Michy Batshuayi, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from Chelsea.
He gave Belgium an early lead against the run of play as the visitors shook off a slow start to take the lead with a brilliantly-executed counter.
Shane Duffy’s long ball forward was cut out by Dedryck Boyata and captain-for-the-day Youri Tielemans moved the ball quickly to Vanaken, who found Batshuayi.
The former Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund striker cut inside Seamus Coleman and his early shot, with little backlift, left Caoimhín Kelleher with no chance.
Shane Duffy managed to deflect another Batshuayi effort wide moments later but Ireland came into the game and began to probe the Belgian defence.
Ireland’s first real chance fell to James McClean as he saw his shot deflect wide, but the resulting corner drew the hosts level.
Duffy did brilliantly to keep the ball alive and, from Callum Robinson’s cross, the ball bounced behind Ogbene in the Belgium box.
From there, it was all about the Corkman, who controlled the ball before hooking the ball over his head into the corner via a deflection.
It was no less than Ireland merited for their first-half endeavour, and they pushed on after the break as confidence grew.
McClean wasted a great chance inside the box after Coleman had done brilliantly to win the ball in midfield, Robinson’s flick being stopped by Mignolet.
Ireland were playing at a tempo that ruffled Belgian feathers and they struggled to get out of their own half at times, but they re-took the lead against the run of play.
Duffy turned a Tielemans effort, their first of the half, wide. From the resulting corner, Vanaken’s free header deflected in off the blameless Coleman.
The rest of the game belonged to Ireland as Robinson and Jeff Hendrick, who has been rejuvenated under Kenny, narrowly missed the target.
They got the reward they deserved four minutes from time as a long pass forward from Duffy was well kept-in on the touchline by Ogbene.
With Boyata standing off, the winger chipped in an inch-perfect cross for sub Browne, who arrived late in the box with perfect timing.
Mignolet got a hand to his thunderous header, but the Club Brugge keeper, formerly of Liverpool, couldn’t keep it out.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhín Kelleher; Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty; Josh Cullen, Jeff Hendrick (Alan Browne, 75); James McClean (Ryan Manning, 80); Chiedozie Ogbene, Jason Knight (Will Keane 75); Callum Robinson (Troy Parrott, 90)
Belgium: Simon Mignolet; Jason Denayer, Dedrick Boyata, Arthur Theate (Orel Mangala, 75); Alexis Saelemaekers (Thomas Foket 46); Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker; Thorgan Hazard; Charles De Ketelaere (Adnan Januzaj 75), Hans Vanaken; Michy Batshuayi (Christian Benteke, 83)
Referee: Nicolas Walsh (Scotland)
Attendance: 48,808
