Under-21 Qualifier/Rep of Ireland - 0 Belgium - 1: The Republic of Ireland's under-21 side are in the unenviable position of needing a result to go their way to stay in this year's Uefa Championship competition.
A Maarten Martens goal midway through the second half was the deciding factor at Terryland Park.
Ireland now need the Belgians to lose by a single goal at home to Greece on Tuesday if they are to progress to the play-offs for a place in next year's finals.
Stephen Ward had a glorious chance in the 38th minute when he raced onto a through ball by Glenn Whelan. The striker rounded goalkeeper Michael Cordier but he was forced too wide and his shot trickled wide.
Jonathan Blondel had a vital role in Belgium's opener when he squared for Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo to connect with a close-range strike. Paul Keegan made a brave block but the ball dropped for Martens to fire home.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Doyle (Birmingham); Foley (Luton Town), Painter (Birmingham), Bruce (Ipswich), McShane (WBA), Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Deery (Derry City), Whelan (Sheffield Weds), Flood (Cardiff), Ward (Bohemians), Timlin (Fulham). Subs: A Keogh (Scunthorpe) for Timlin (68 mins), O'Donovan (Cork City) for Deery (78 mins), Dixon (Tottenham) for Ward (88 mins).
BELGIUM: Cordier; Van Audenaerde, Van Delannoite, Wuytens, Mulemo, De Mul, Overmeire, Blondel, Van Tornhout, De Smet, Maertens. Subs: Yulu-Matondo for De Smet (19 mins), Fellaini-Bakkioui for De Mul (88 mins), Haroun for Martens (91 mins).
Referee: Per Ivar Staberg (Norway)
