A single goal saw Belgium overcome the Ireland Girls' Under-16s 1-0 in the opening game of the 2025 UEFA Development Tournament.

Treaty United ace Madison McGuane led the team out as captain in Eerikkila, Finland and Ireland started well with a number of impressive passing sequences.

Tom Elmes's team competed well in each challenge and tried to find the service through to the lively Halle Harcourt and the mobile Ciara Milton, but a cutting edge evaded them.

Persistence allowed Ireland to match their opponents in every department and they kept Belgium goalkeeper Lore Lanotte on high alert with McGuane and Emma Mooney pulling the strings from midfield.

Alice Buggle and Hailey Twomey joined Milton in unloading with shots from distance, while Harcourt went close with a good chance. Substitutes Kassie McLoughlin and Alex Devoy both fired efforts wide.

On 70 minutes, Belgium took the lead through substitute Lily Hoekx and that proved to be the difference in this contest.

Next up for Ireland is a clash with tournament hosts Finland on Sunday before finishing up against Switzerland next Wednesday.

Ireland: Sarah Doyle; Lara Dallaghan (Annabel Mulcaire Quille 59), Caoimhe O'Brien (Holly O'Hagan 59), Keelin Comiskey, Hailey Twomey (Ava Hallinan 75); Molly Kirwan (Ellen Goggin 46), Madison McGuane (Fiona Poole 59), Emma Mooney; Halle Harcourt (Kassie McLoughlin 75), Ciara Milton (Mia Gaff 59), Alice Buggle (Alex Devoy 46).

UEFA Development Tournament
Friday, May 23 | Belgium 1-0 Ireland
Sunday, May 25 | Ireland v Finland, Eerikkila, Finland, KO 13:00 (local time)
Wednesday, May 28 | Ireland v Switzerland, Eerikkila, Finland, KO 10:00 (local time)​​​​​​​