Ireland vs Belgium 2 - 2 (Friendly 2022 Goals & Highlights) | Download Mp4

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Download Ireland vs Belgium 2 - 2 (Friendly 2022 Goals & Highlights)

Alan 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 Browne thumped a towering 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 among others.

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.