Ireland Men’s Under-18s beat Belgium 2-1 in Spain thanks to goals from Nickson Okosun and Taylor Mooney in the first of two friendlies between the teams this week.

Colin O’Brien’s side took the lead just after half-time when Okosun opened the scoring, Belgium struck back before Mooney netted the winner late-on just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

Ireland had the better chances in the first half with Fulham’s Tom Olyott forcing a fine save from Belgium goalkeeper Matti Merckx.

The young Boys in Green were reduced to several half chance in the first period but just after the break Ireland were ahead. The lively Olyott broke down the right and played a reverse pass for Bohemians’ Okosun to fire at the back post.

Belgium would get back into with 18 minutes left on the clock. Briek Van Hoorick scored from a direct free-kick to bring parity between the sides.

But Ireland wouldn’t have to wait long to restore their lead when six minutes later the newly introduced Mooney got on the end of some great play by Shaun Wade to sweep home what proved to be the winning goal.

The sides are back in action on Saturday at the same venue.

Ireland: Avery, Babb (Cunningham, 60), Ashbee, Grante, McCarthy , McGrath (C), John O’Sullivan (Mooney, 75), Dodd (Moloney, 60), Okosun (Wade, 60), Olyott (Folarin, 75), McLaughlin (O’Halloran, 60).

Belgium: Merckx, Vroninks, Deuwel, Lamock, Maertens, De Vlieger, Yeboah, Verkooijen, Diallo, Vereecken, El Afaki
Substitutes: Delvaux, Sy, Baert, Van Hoorick, Van Der Velde, Ferro, Waki, Vanderdonck, Luyckx