Republic of Ireland 2-2 Belgium: Ogbone’s brilliant goal and assist earns draw for hosts

Rotherham United’s Chiedozie Ogbone overshadowed world number one-ranked side Belgium with a brilliant goal and assist to earn Republic of Ireland a 2-2 draw in Dublin.

After Michy Batshuayi had put Roberto Martinez’s understrength side ahead in Dublin, Ogbene levelled with a brilliant overhead kick.

Belgium restored order after an hour when Bruges midfielder Hans Vanaken nodded home from a corner but Ogbene was Ireland’s saviour again with a brilliant pinpoint cross for Alan Browne to head in five minutes from the end.

Ireland drew 2-2 with Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday afternoon

Michy Batshuayi gave the visitors the lead firing past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher

Whilst the draw stretched Ireland’s unbeaten run to seven matches, Belgium are in danger of losing their long-held No1 status to Brazil when the next FIFA rankings are published.

Even without big-hitters Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium showed their class in the early stages of Saturday’s friendly and went ahead after 12 minutes with the first goal Ireland had conceded in five games.

Vanaken fed Michy Batshuayi and the Chelsea striker, currently on loan to Besiktas, showed a deft touch to cut inside Irish skipper Seamus Coleman and an even better one to drill a curled finish beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was up against current Reds No.2 Kelleher 

At that stage, it looked a mismatch with Belgian skipper Youri Tielemans running midfield and Eden’s younger brother Thorgen Hazard influential at left wing-back.

Indeed, it needed a desperate block by Josh Cullen, who plays his club football in Belgium for Anderlecht, to prevent Batshuayi from making it 2-0.

Ireland haven’t qualified for the World Cup and with only three Premier League regulars in their starting line-up – defenders Coleman, Matt Doherty and Shane Duffy – it took them half-an-hour to give their fans something to shout about.

James McClean created the momentum with a goalbound shot that clipped off the heels of Jason Denayer for a corner and with the volume rising, Stephen Kenny’s side levelled after 35 minutes.

McClean was again involved, his pass releasing Callum Robinson whose cross was knocked down in the box by Duffy.

But the main credit has to go to goalscorer Ogbene who took one touch to control a bouncing ball and then a second to brilliantly hook over his head bicycle-style past a startled Simon Mignolet.

Ogbene is the first African-born player to represent Ireland and has made a terrific start to his international career with two goals in four appearances.

Chiedozie Ogbene equalised for the hosts by emphatically converted his bicycle kick

Rotherham United star Ogbene ran away in celebration as he put his side level on terms

Ireland almost struck again to lead at the start of the second after a great piece of anticipation by Coleman. When the ball arrived in the box, Robinson tried a cheeky backheel that would have rolled in without a goal-line clearance from Denayer.

Jason Knight then had a chance to fire in at the near post but hesitated to allow Thomas Foket to block.

Having survived the let-offs, Belgium took advantage by regaining control of the ball and then retaking the lead after 58 minutes. 

Kenny will be disappointed however his side conceded from a set-piece. Hazard’s outswinger was met without a challenge by the lanky Vanaken and his header took a slight nick of Coleman to wrongfoot Kelleher.

Hans Vanaken headed Belgium back in to the lead on Saturday in front of a packaged Aviva

 Alan Browne headed home five minutes from the end as they gave finished all square

It was deserved reward for Vanaken who has scored in the Champions League football this season and at 29 is giving Martinez food for thought about a World Cup place.

Robinson tested Mignolet as Ireland chased a second equaliser but when the goalkeeper spilled there wasn’t anyone in a green shirt capitalise on the rebound.

Substitute Will Keane then fell in the box as Dedryck Boyata challenged with referee Nicolas Walsh ruling the defender had won the ball.

It was Ogbene’s tireless work that eventually led to Ireland’s second goal after 85 minutes. He sprinted to keep the ball in play on the right touchline and instead of gasping for breath, delivered a a brilliant first-time cross into the box for substitute Alan Browne of Preston to head in.