Belgium secured maximum points from their 2025 FIH Pro League campaign in Dublin after edging out Ireland 2-1 in Abbotstown.
Ireland coach Gareth Grundie opted to hand an international debut to Aoife Glennon between the sticks in the absence of Thursday's injured shootout hero Lizzy Murphy.
The traffic was all one away in the opening quarter, Belgium forcing Glennon into a brace of fine saves from Michelle Struijk.
However, the visitors were on high alert for second-phase ball and Charlotte Englebert struck for the breakthrough after just four minutes.
Ireland were facing an onslaught from a side ranked three in the world and conceded a second goal just 10 minutes in.
Belgium lead Ireland 2-0 in their FIH Women's Pro League clash at the Sport Ireland Campus
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 13, 2025
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Róisín Upton got too close on the attacking Alix Gerniers and offered up another penalty corner from which Gerniers, who was winning her 300th cap, deflected home from close range.
Ireland were clinging onto the coattails of the Red Panther right up to the half-time whistle.
Katie Mullan had a rare shot for the Girls in Green midway through quarter two but pulled her effort narrowly wide.
However, the hosts halved the deficit on the turnaround.
Sarah Torrens gives Ireland a fighting chance against Belgium by scoring to reduce the visitors' lead to 2-1
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 13, 2025
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Ireland captain Sarah Hawkshaw surged into the circle and got a shot off. When the rebound came out, Sarah Torrens was quickest to react and slotted home her second goal of the week.
Having also scored against England on Thursday, Torrens had Ireland's best chance for an equaliser in the final quarter but her control let her down at the vital time.
Belgium went in search of further goals in the final stages but Holly Micklem, who had replaced Glennon for the second half, spread herself well to keep Ireland in the game right until the final whistle.
The Ireland wait for a win in Dublin goes on and their final opportunity will come on Sunday against England.
