• Republic of Ireland ratings: Caoimhin Kelleher – 6. Following his heroics in the Carabao Cup for Liverpool, Kelleher earned his fourth cap for his country but he was unable to do anything about either of Belgium’s goals, with the latter coming from a deflection. Reuters
    Republic of Ireland ratings: Caoimhin Kelleher – 6. Following his heroics in the Carabao Cup for Liverpool, Kelleher earned his fourth cap for his country but he was unable to do anything about either of Belgium’s goals, with the latter coming from a deflection. Reuters
  • Seamus Coleman – 6. The captain was left frustrated when Batshuayi was able cut inside and shot from the edge of the box for Belgium’s first from his wing. After starting well in the second half, it was Coleman who had the last touch to convert Vanaken’s header. Reuters
    Seamus Coleman – 6. The captain was left frustrated when Batshuayi was able cut inside and shot from the edge of the box for Belgium’s first from his wing. After starting well in the second half, it was Coleman who had the last touch to convert Vanaken’s header. Reuters
  • Shane Duffy – 7. After losing the ball in the build-up for Belgium’s opener, the Brighton defender looked to be central to the pressure for Ogbene’s goal, keeping the ball alive to bounce into the winger’s path. Quickly reacted to force Batshuyai’s second half effort out for a corner. AP
    Shane Duffy – 7. After losing the ball in the build-up for Belgium’s opener, the Brighton defender looked to be central to the pressure for Ogbene’s goal, keeping the ball alive to bounce into the winger’s path. Quickly reacted to force Batshuyai’s second half effort out for a corner. AP
  • John Egan – 7. There was no sign the game was just a friendly when Egan put in a strong tackle in the opening minutes, with the Sheffield United man working hard on and off the ball, making the left-hand side dangerous. Reuters
    John Egan – 7. There was no sign the game was just a friendly when Egan put in a strong tackle in the opening minutes, with the Sheffield United man working hard on and off the ball, making the left-hand side dangerous. Reuters
  • Matt Doherty – 6. The Spurs man refused to leave the ball to chance as he pounced early before carrying forward and finding Ogbene, whose cross met Browne. Perhaps not as lively on the wing as he usually is, although grew in the second half. AP
    Matt Doherty – 6. The Spurs man refused to leave the ball to chance as he pounced early before carrying forward and finding Ogbene, whose cross met Browne. Perhaps not as lively on the wing as he usually is, although grew in the second half. AP
  • Josh Cullen – 6. A name familiar to the away fans, the Anderlecht midfielder looked to try and make things happen and was happy to get a foot in to move Ireland forwards. Getty
    Josh Cullen – 6. A name familiar to the away fans, the Anderlecht midfielder looked to try and make things happen and was happy to get a foot in to move Ireland forwards. Getty
  • Jeff Hendrick – 6. A little bit of consistent game-time at QPR seems to have helped the Irishman who had an eye for a pass, including a particular clever pass to Knight after half-time, though his effort at an equaliser was well wide of the post. Getty
    Jeff Hendrick – 6. A little bit of consistent game-time at QPR seems to have helped the Irishman who had an eye for a pass, including a particular clever pass to Knight after half-time, though his effort at an equaliser was well wide of the post. Getty
  • James McClean – 7. Having made his international debut 10 years ago, the Wigan midfielder was key in lighting up the left side and bringing Ireland back into the game as half-time neared. Saw Denayer clear his goalwards effort on the line. PA
    James McClean – 7. Having made his international debut 10 years ago, the Wigan midfielder was key in lighting up the left side and bringing Ireland back into the game as half-time neared. Saw Denayer clear his goalwards effort on the line. PA
  • Chiedozie Ogbene – 8. The Rotherham winger has been thriving since joining up with his national side and will not be forgetting his equaliser against Fifa’s No 1 side when he kept onside, controlled the loose ball before converting in a spectacular overhead kick. Did incredibly well to keep Doherty’s overhit pass in before supplying a brilliant cross for Browne to head home. Getty
    Chiedozie Ogbene – 8. The Rotherham winger has been thriving since joining up with his national side and will not be forgetting his equaliser against Fifa’s No 1 side when he kept onside, controlled the loose ball before converting in a spectacular overhead kick. Did incredibly well to keep Doherty’s overhit pass in before supplying a brilliant cross for Browne to head home. Getty
  • Callum Robinson – 7. The West Brom forward played a key role in Ireland’s equaliser having sent in an appealing cross into the box to draw defenders away from Ogbene and could have scored his country’s second equaliser when he powered a shot at Mignolet. PA
    Callum Robinson – 7. The West Brom forward played a key role in Ireland’s equaliser having sent in an appealing cross into the box to draw defenders away from Ogbene and could have scored his country’s second equaliser when he powered a shot at Mignolet. PA
  • Jason Knight – 7. After impressing off the bench in November for his country and Adam Idah sidelined, the Derby man continued to prove to his boss his worth in the starting line-up, linking with McClean and continuing to threat Belgium with his runs forward. Action Images
    Jason Knight – 7. After impressing off the bench in November for his country and Adam Idah sidelined, the Derby man continued to prove to his boss his worth in the starting line-up, linking with McClean and continuing to threat Belgium with his runs forward. Action Images
  • SUBS: Will Keane (Knight 76’) – 6. Brought down in the box, Keane looked to ask the referee for a penalty on his second cap for his team, although Boyata was deemed to have enough of a touch (no match photos available). AP
    SUBS: Will Keane (Knight 76’) – 6. Brought down in the box, Keane looked to ask the referee for a penalty on his second cap for his team, although Boyata was deemed to have enough of a touch (no match photos available). AP
  • Alan Browne (Hendrick 77’) – 7. Set the Aviva Stadium alight when he beat his man in the air to head past Mignolet and find Ireland’s equaliser in the closing stages. PA
    Alan Browne (Hendrick 77’) – 7. Set the Aviva Stadium alight when he beat his man in the air to head past Mignolet and find Ireland’s equaliser in the closing stages. PA
  • Ryan Manning (McClean 80’) – N/R. Some game-time for the Swansea man who is currently serving a four-game match suspension for his club. Getty
    Ryan Manning (McClean 80’) – N/R. Some game-time for the Swansea man who is currently serving a four-game match suspension for his club. Getty
  • Troy Parrott (Robinson 90+2) – N/R. A late change for Ireland. AFP
    Troy Parrott (Robinson 90+2) – N/R. A late change for Ireland. AFP
  • BELGIUM RATINGS: Simon Mignolet – 6. With no sign of Thibaut Courtois, the Brugge goalkeeper returned between the posts for the first time in over a year and despite being unable to stop Ogbene’s overhead kick, he was equal to Robinson’s low strike. Getty
    BELGIUM RATINGS: Simon Mignolet – 6. With no sign of Thibaut Courtois, the Brugge goalkeeper returned between the posts for the first time in over a year and despite being unable to stop Ogbene’s overhead kick, he was equal to Robinson’s low strike. Getty
  • Jason Denayer – 6. Anticipating a header from Callum Robinson’s cross, the Olympique Lyon centre-back failed to cover Ogbene who found room find the equaliser but found himself on the goal-line again but this time put in an excellent goal-line clearance to deny McClean. Getty
    Jason Denayer – 6. Anticipating a header from Callum Robinson’s cross, the Olympique Lyon centre-back failed to cover Ogbene who found room find the equaliser but found himself on the goal-line again but this time put in an excellent goal-line clearance to deny McClean. Getty
  • Dedryck Boyata – 6 The 31-year-old put in an excellently timed challenge to deny Will Keane a penalty moments after his cameo from the bench, with Boyata’s reaching leg getting enough of the ball. Getty
    Dedryck Boyata – 6 The 31-year-old put in an excellently timed challenge to deny Will Keane a penalty moments after his cameo from the bench, with Boyata’s reaching leg getting enough of the ball. Getty
  • Arthur Theate – 6. The 21-year-old was handed just his second senior cap for his country with Roberto Martinez looking ahead to future talent among his ranks and didn’t look too out of place in Belgium’s backline. PA
    Arthur Theate – 6. The 21-year-old was handed just his second senior cap for his country with Roberto Martinez looking ahead to future talent among his ranks and didn’t look too out of place in Belgium’s backline. PA
  • Alexis Saelemaekers – 5. Sacrificed at half-time, the 22-year-old was dealt a hard time when Ireland enjoyed spells towards half-time, with McClean and Knight being a threat. Reuters
    Alexis Saelemaekers – 5. Sacrificed at half-time, the 22-year-old was dealt a hard time when Ireland enjoyed spells towards half-time, with McClean and Knight being a threat. Reuters
  • Leander Dendoncker – 7. The Wolves man was hardworking in the middle alongside Tielemans and proved key at trying to keep Ireland at bay. Reuters
    Leander Dendoncker – 7. The Wolves man was hardworking in the middle alongside Tielemans and proved key at trying to keep Ireland at bay. Reuters
  • Youri Tielemans – 7 The Leicester City man was the only starter to have more than 45 caps for his country and proved his experience as he dominated the midfield, controlling play and putting in an excellent challenge in the box on Jason Knight after the break. PA
    Youri Tielemans – 7 The Leicester City man was the only starter to have more than 45 caps for his country and proved his experience as he dominated the midfield, controlling play and putting in an excellent challenge in the box on Jason Knight after the break. PA
  • Thorgan Hazard – 6. The younger of the Hazard footballing siblings swung in an excellent corner for Vanaken to head home. AFP
    Thorgan Hazard – 6. The younger of the Hazard footballing siblings swung in an excellent corner for Vanaken to head home. AFP
  • Charles De Ketelaere – 6. The youngster may have been one to keep an eye on pre-match but the Brugge forward was left dropping deep at times to see the ball and was kept out of the game for large parts. AFP
    Charles De Ketelaere – 6. The youngster may have been one to keep an eye on pre-match but the Brugge forward was left dropping deep at times to see the ball and was kept out of the game for large parts. AFP
  • Michy Batshuayi – 7. Despite early Ireland pressure, the Chelsea man made easy work of putting Belgium ahead inside 12 minutes when he cut inside Coleman and curled his shot into Kelleher’s bottom corner. Found the side-netting 10 minutes later. Action Images
    Michy Batshuayi – 7. Despite early Ireland pressure, the Chelsea man made easy work of putting Belgium ahead inside 12 minutes when he cut inside Coleman and curled his shot into Kelleher’s bottom corner. Found the side-netting 10 minutes later. Action Images
  • Hans Vanaken – 6. The 6ft 5in midfielder was always the target as Hazard swung in a tempting corner, which the Brugge player made no mistake of finding and converting, with the help of Coleman in a possible own-goal. AFP
    Hans Vanaken – 6. The 6ft 5in midfielder was always the target as Hazard swung in a tempting corner, which the Brugge player made no mistake of finding and converting, with the help of Coleman in a possible own-goal. AFP
  • SUBS: Thomas Foket (Saelemaekers 46’) – 6. Straight into action to deny Jason Knight and deflect the Derby man’s shot behind the post. Saw his curling effort go wide of Kellehen’s far post. Getty
    SUBS: Thomas Foket (Saelemaekers 46’) – 6. Straight into action to deny Jason Knight and deflect the Derby man’s shot behind the post. Saw his curling effort go wide of Kellehen’s far post. Getty
  • Orel Mangala (Theate 75’) – N/R. A debut for the Stuttgart defensive midfielder, having played throughout the Belgium youth systems. Getty
    Orel Mangala (Theate 75’) – N/R. A debut for the Stuttgart defensive midfielder, having played throughout the Belgium youth systems. Getty
  • Adnan Januzaj (De Ketelaere 76’) – N/R. The former Manchester United player came on as part of a double change for Belgium. AFP
    Adnan Januzaj (De Ketelaere 76’) – N/R. The former Manchester United player came on as part of a double change for Belgium. AFP
  • Christian Benteke (Batshuayi 83’) – N/R. The Crystal Palace man came on as Belgium looked for a last minute winner. Getty
    Christian Benteke (Batshuayi 83’) – N/R. The Crystal Palace man came on as Belgium looked for a last minute winner. Getty

Ireland v Belgium player ratings: Ogbene 8, Browne 7; Tielemans 7, Hazard 6


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Ireland substitute Alan Browne powered home a header five minutes from time to hand the hosts a 2-2 draw with top-ranked Belgium in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

It added gloss to the centenary celebrations of the Football Association of Ireland and extended the home team’s unbeaten run to seven games.

Michy Batshuayi and Hans Vanaken scored either side of halftime to threaten to spoil the party as an understrength Belgium twice took the lead.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez left out stalwarts with 50 caps and over in order to look at fringe players before November’s World Cup in Qatar and was therefore without 12 regulars.

But the visitors were ahead after 12 minutes when Batshuayi cut inside off the left wing to hammer home the opening goal with a curling shot across the face of goal into the far corner.

Ireland responded with an even more spectacular effort as Chiedozie Ogbene’s overhead kick levelled the scores 10 minutes before halftime.

Ireland had a Callum Robinson effort cleared off the line soon after the break but were caught cold at a 58th minute corner as Vanaken’s header took a wicked deflection off Ireland captain Seamus Coleman to hand the lead back to the Belgians.

Ogbene’s persistence in chasing a loose ball out on the right wing set up the 85th minute equaliser as he not only chased what looked a lost cause but kept the ball in play. He swung in the perfect cross for Browne who scored as he timed his run perfectly to get power and pace on his header.

Emma James provides the player ratings from the Aviva Stadium in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device simply swipe.

Updated: June 10, 2023, 12:42 PM