HOW THEY RATED

Marks out of 10

IRELAND CAOIMHIN KELLEHER 6

Fumbled but regathered Mapendi’s smart shot as Belgium tightened their grip. Distribution a mix of pragmatic and precise, but his late save from Meunier was excellent.

SEAMUS COLEMAN 6

He had plenty to occupy him on his return to the national colours, with Trossard in the first half and the lightning Doku in the second. Coped well.

DARA O’SHEA 7

Won the penalty as a result of the typical energy he brings in attacking situations. In his customary duties, he was tigerish. Rarely fails to show up.

ANDREW OMOBAMIDELE 7 He’s a player who looks as if there is at least another level in his game, and backed up Coleman as the right of the three centre halves.

NATHAN COLLINS 7

The leader of a defensive three that should be the bedrock of a new Ireland. Workload doubled in the second half with Batshuayi’s appearance. He coped.

ROBBIE BRADY 6 The opposition danger men were on the other side of the pitch, but defence was still mostly his lot. His left foot a major set-piece asset.

JOSH CULLEN 7 He can dawdle in possession, but generally he formed a nice, tidy base with Smallbone. Minding possession is vital against good teams, and he did that. WILL SMALLBONE 7

Adds a lot to the Irish midfield, he’s an elegant ball-player, good on free-kicks, but also with the stamina to get up and down effectively. SAMMIE SZMODICS 6

Denied when he tried to shoot through a thicket of defenders, one of the two chances he got, so he worked like a stevedore instead.

CHIEDOZIE OGBENE 7 His pace was an occasional outlet, but he showed his technique in making space for the Szmodics chance. He becomes more important with each outing. EVAN FERGUSON 6

A missed penalty irks every striker, and Ferguson looked like a man who hasn’t scored in months. But his work in providing a focus to the Irish attack was effective.

SUBS 5 O’Shea waited until 70th minute to make a change. Smart, given the need to stay well-drilled. That the first three subs on, Idah, Johnston and Knight, were offensive, spoke to Ireland’s ambitions.