Browne salvages draw for Ireland against World Cup contenders Belgium

Alan Browne ensured the Republic of Ireland’s big day had a fitting ending as his late equaliser secured a creditable draw against Belgium, the world’s No 1 team.

Browne powered home an 86th-minute header to send the crowd at the Football Association of Ireland’s centenary game home happy. It was no more than Stephen Kenny’s side deserved – they are now unbeaten in seven outings and have lost once in 11 – after Chiedozie Ogbene had cancelled out Michy Batshuayi’s sumptuous opener, only for Hans Vanaken’s deflected header to hand the visitors the lead once again.

Roberto Martínez had left his biggest names at home but still fielded a strong side and it was to Ireland’s credit that they did not look out of place against a team who will be among the favourites for the World Cup in Qatar.

The visitors saw plenty of the ball in the early stages and took the lead courtesy of the first real moment of quality. Batshuayi picked up the ball wide on the left and cut inside Séamus Coleman before dispatching a delicious curling shot past the diving Caoimhín Kelleher. He might have doubled his tally within four minutes but Josh Cullen’s block deflected his attempt over the bar.

The movement of Charles De Ketelaere and Vanaken behind Batshuayi caused Ireland all kinds of problems with Belgium slipping into their well-established rhythm despite the six changes Martínez had made to his team, and the striker, on loan from Chelsea at Besiktas, dragged a 23rd‑minute effort into the side-netting.

If the crowd of 48,808 had little to cheer in the opening 25 minutes, they had something – or someone – to boo when images of the Belgium bench, including a sheepish Thierry Henry, whose handball denied Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup finals,