Both sides are just trying to figure each other out at the moment. Belgium almost gave it away at the back moments ago with a loose pass but the hosts couldn't capitalise.

Bosh. It might be a friendly but Jason Knight goes sliding in on Youri Tielemans at full pelt. He comes away with the ball but the referee deems that a foul.

The hosts keep it smartly early on but are finding themselves under pressure from the Belgium press when in possession.

Belgium are without a number of their big names today as they have a policy for these friendlies of only picking players who have fewer than 50 caps.

It means a number of young prospects are on show for the visitors, including Charles de Ketelaere from Club Brugge, who is well worth keeping an eye on...

Right, away we go!

The sun is shining in Dublin. It's a glorious evening and both sides are making their way out for the anthems.

Can't beat an iconic programme.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Kenny has praised Troy Parrott's work ethic in "knuckling down" at MK Dons after some difficult months in the 20-year-old striker's fledgling career - the on-loan Tottenham forward starts on the bench today,

"Troy has had to sacrifice himself a little bit for the team at MK Dons," said Kenny.

"He's had to play in a variety of positions. He had a little period where he lost his place - he had Covid and he got sent off after he came back from Covid in a cup game.

"You are thinking, 'right, he's got a job to do to make sure he stays in the international squad because this is a little period for him, a little test for him'.

"But he knuckled down and he had about six consecutive matches where he played the full 90 minutes.

"Even though the manager was making three substitutions in the attacking areas, he was the one who was never taken off."

This match will also pitch Roberto Martinez against a player he worked with at Everton in Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman.

“I don’t think I can speak highly enough of him. I worked with Saamus when he was modern full-back at that time," said Martinez.

"I worked with Seamus, his responsibility, his leadership in the dressing room, you can see he became a club captain.

“At that time, he was performing, for me, at the level of the best right-backs in the Premier League and I really enjoyed working with him.

"A true professional, he is someone who really brought the team to a new level. So I am really looking forward to seeing him, it’s incredible that he is still playing at the level he is doing as well.”

This game is part of the Football Association of Ireland's centenary celebrations, and with Irish football in a reflective mood, captain Seamus Coleman was asked to name some of the best players he's shared a pitch with during his 11-year international career.

The Everton full-back said: "I've been lucky to play with some great players with Ireland, Damien Duff comes to mind, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Shay Given - they were really, really powerful players for Ireland.

"I suppose growing up, for me you would be looking at Roy Keane, how good he was for Ireland, how in certain games he carried them in big games, the Holland game, which was a memorable one.

"I know Jason McAteer scored, but Roy Keane's performance in that game was unbelievable."

More from Stephen Kenny on Caoimhin Kelleher, who starts in goal against Belgium: "His composure under pressure and his general athleticism, his ability to make brilliant saves.

"But obviously he's been in a great environment at Liverpool for a few years now and training every day at a very high standard and playing in the games that he's played in, so he's got good experience."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool goalkeper Caoimhin Kelleher gets the nod today with recent starter Gavin Bazunu, on loan at Portsmouth from Manchester City, absent because of illness.

"Caoimhin will definitely start, that's absolutely right," said boss Stephen Kenny. "He'll most likely play the two matches now, I think it's fair to say, and deservedly so.

"He's had to be patient because of an unfortunate injury. He missed the last March camp with injury and Bazunu has come in and been absolutely outstanding.

"We're on a run of four and a half games without conceding a goal - and Caoimhin has played his part in that.

"In Caoimhin's two matches to date against Qatar and Hungary, he hasn't conceded a goal either, so he deserves his chance because he's been absolutely excellent."

Stephen Kenny on facing Belgium: “It’s a great day, we’re playing the number one team in the world which is a big test."

The Republic of Ireland manager added: "It's a great challenge and one we must embrace, a special occasion, 100 years, all of the players are inspired by that - they are custodians of that now really.

"To play the number one team in the world in a full house on such an occasion, this is a good day for us."

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez might be coaching the world's number one side but he has also been full of praise for their opponents this evening.

Republic of Ireland have only lost one of their past 10 games and have scored 18 goals in that time.

“I think it’s one of the great stories in international football," said Martinez.

"When you’re managing at international level you’ve got two choices: you try to bring your best performance and compete or create an idea of play and almost work like you would do at club level and then that takes time.

"But they have clear concepts and clear ways of trying to get the players to enjoy it, and that’s what Stephen Kenny has done. It is very recognisable the way that Ireland play.

“It’s very brave, attack-minded, clear on their system and I think he’s getting rewards. You have to be patient because it takes time. It’s a longer time at international level to be able to get those relationships and that understanding on the football pitch."

This match will celebrate the Republic of Ireland's centenary year, and there could be an exciting development just around the corner for the hosts.

The UK and Ireland's bid to host Euro 2028 looks set to be unopposed, according to The Times.

National team boss Stephen Kenny admits Irish infrastructure is "way behind" the rest of Europe, but feels co-hosting the Euros would be a positive for Irish football.

"I think the Irish football public would enjoy the experience," he said. "They would want to be a part of it, but it is years away.

"I don't know how much money would be involved, it's not something I've focused on in any great detail."

The Republic had been set to stage games at Euro 2020 but were ultimately unable to do so because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Seamus Coleman captains the hosts and Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal for Stephen Kenny's side.

Belgium are without a number of their big names but still put out a strong side featuring the likes of Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker and Michy Batshuayi.

Afternoon!

What better to accompany this glorious weather than a host of international friendlies? Almost feels like a World Cup...

We'll be focusing on the Republic of Ireland hosting Belgium in Dublin, but England, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands are also all in action a little later.

And there could be an emotional return to international football for Christian Eriksen with Denmark.