The Republic of Ireland were held to a scoreless draw at home to Belgium as John O’Shea’s side put in a strong performance against a side that is destined for the UEFA EURO 2024.

Evan Ferguson was denied from the penalty spot while Ogbene and Szmodics were also denied from favourable attacking positions. Caoimhin Kelleher was also on hand to earn a clean sheet with a series of fine saves. 

The first chance of the game fell to the home side as a clever pass from Szmodics sent Ogbene wide down the left with the Irish striker finding himself one one-on-one with Sels with his low effort however striking the side netting. The away side had a good chance to take the lead with a cross from Trossard into the path of Tielemans that saw the Belgian forwards' header flash wide of the goal.

Ireland was awarded a penalty midway through the first half with Robbie Brady’s cross knocked down in the area by Nathan Collins, saw Josh O’Shea’s flick-on blocked down by Vermeeren with his arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Sels saved Evan Ferguson’s spot-kick as the Belgian keeper palmed away his low effort. Moments later Ogbene had another sight on goal for Ireland on the right-hand side of the Belgian goal area, with his effort going wide of Sels' far post.

Bakayoko was to get a strike on the Irish goal as he found an opening on the edge of the area but his effort was always rising and went over Kelleher’s crossbar. Just at half time, a clever knockdown by Ferguson found the path of the advancing run of Szmodics with the forwards' effort just going over the bar from a tight angle.

Even Ferguson was inches away from scoring in the opening seconds of the second half as Brady’s cross, direct from the kick-off saw Ferguson’s header just go over the bear at the near post. Kelleher was forced into a good save in the opening minutes of the second period as Openda's volley on the edge of the area saw the Irish keeper gather it at the second attempt. Robbie Brady once again sent in an excellent ball into the Belgian area and Ogbene was at the back post but he couldn't steer his effort toward goal.

Ireland had another excellent chance on goal with Smallbone and Ogbene combining to set up Szmodics with his low effort towards the goal being blocked down by the Belgian defence. Kelleher was to deny Meunier with an excellent low save following a pressing Belgian move that saw Meunier get to the end of a good counter-attacking phase of play with Kelleher getting his positioning right to push the ball around the back post. 

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Coleman ©, O'Shea, Omobamidele, Cullen, Smallbone (Ebosele 85), Ferguson (Idah 70), Brady (Doherty 81), Szmodics (Johnston 70), Ogbene (Knight 70), N. Collins

Subs not used: Bazunu (GK), Travers (GK), Manning, O'Dowda, Sykes, McGrath, Obafemi, O'Brien, Azaz

Belgium: Sels (GK) (Kaminski (GK) 82), Faes, Tielemans (Meunier 46), Openda, Trossard (Doku 46), Deman, Bakayoko (Lukébakio 63), Vermeeren, Castagne (Batshuayi 46), Vranckx, De Winter (Onana 63)

Subs not used: Casteels (GK), Kaminski (GK), Bodart (GK), Debast, Theate, Vertonghen, Lukaku, Meunier, Mangala,

Booked: None

Sent off: None

Player of the Match: Josh Cullen

Referee: Rohit Saggi (NOR)