2 years ago
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Browne rose to meet Chiedozie Ogbene's cross and earn the Irish a draw against the world's top-ranked teamAlan Browne came off the bench to score a late equaliser and earn the Republic of Ireland a creditable friendly draw with world number one side Belgium.
The visitors took the lead after 12 minutes through Michy Batshuayi.
Chiedozie Ogbene levelled with a deflected bicycle kick before Belgium regained the lead when Hans Vanaken's header went in off Seamus Coleman.
But substitute Browne thumped a header past Simon Mignolet to earn the Irish a draw four minutes from time.
Back in action for the first time since the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign in November, the Republic will feel they deservedly took something from the game as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.
With manager Roberto Martinez having only selected players with fewer than 50 caps, Belgium were missing Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
However, the visitors showed how dangerous they can be without their star players when Batshuayi opened the scoring with a ruthless finish.
Drifting out left to collect Vanaken's pass, the striker drove between Coleman and Matt Doherty and beat Caoimhin Kelleher with a curling right-foot effort.
Given Belgium's early dominance the home fans had little to shout about, but boos rang around the stadium after 25 minutes when the visitors' bench featuring Thierry Henry was shown on the big screen, the France legend's handball having famously denied the Irish a place at the 2010 World Cup.
However, Belgium failed to turn first-half dominance into clear-cut chances and were pegged back when Ogbene levelled in spectacular fashion after 35 minutes.
Callum Robinson's left-wing cross fell to the Rotherham United winger, whose bicycle kick deflected off Jason Denayer and past Belgium keeper Mignolet.
It was Ogbene's third goal in six Republic caps, and his first at home having netted the others in World Cup qualifiers away at Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
More to follow.
Line-ups
R. of Ireland
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Kelleher
- 2Coleman
- 4Duffy
- 5Egan
- 10Doherty
- 6Cullen
- 13HendrickSubstituted forBrowneat 76'minutes
- 11McCleanSubstituted forManningat 80'minutes
- 20Ogbene
- 7RobinsonSubstituted forParrottat 90+2'minutes
- 17KnightSubstituted forKeaneat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Manning
- 8Hourihane
- 9Keane
- 12Collins
- 14Browne
- 15Parrott
- 16Talbot
- 18O'Shea
- 19Hogan
- 21Sykes
- 22Molumby
- 23O'Leary
Belgium
Formation 3-4-3
- 12Mignolet
- 3Denayer
- 4Boyata
- 5TheateSubstituted forMangalaat 75'minutes
- 15SaelemaekersSubstituted forFoketat 45'minutes
- 6Dendoncker
- 8Tielemans
- 10T Hazard
- 14De KetelaereSubstituted forJanuzajat 76'minutes
- 23BatshuayiSubstituted forBentekeat 83'minutes
- 7Vanaken
Substitutes
- 1Kaminski
- 11Trossard
- 13Sels
- 16Verschaeren
- 17Origi
- 18Januzaj
- 19Sambi Lokonga
- 20Benteke
- 21Foket
- 22Mangala
- 24Bornauw
- 25Van der Heyden
Live Text
Match ends, Republic of Ireland 2, Belgium 2.
Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 2, Belgium 2.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Troy Parrott replaces Callum Robinson.
Offside, Republic of Ireland. Matt Doherty tries a through ball, but Chiedozie Ogbene is caught offside.
Hans Vanaken (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Séamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland).
Goal! Republic of Ireland 2, Belgium 2. Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Chiedozie Ogbene with a cross.
Substitution, Belgium. Christian Benteke replaces Michy Batshuayi because of an injury.
Adnan Januzaj (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland).
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Ryan Manning replaces James McClean.
Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Dedryck Boyata.
Offside, Republic of Ireland. Shane Duffy tries a through ball, but Will Keane is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Callum Robinson with a cross.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Will Keane replaces Jason Knight.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Alan Browne replaces Jeff Hendrick.
Substitution, Belgium. Adnan Januzaj replaces Charles De Ketelaere.
Substitution, Belgium. Orel Mangala replaces Arthur Theate.
Foul by Thorgan Hazard (Belgium).
Séamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
English (US)