Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifier in opposition to Sweden was deserted at half-time and followers had been saved within the stadium for safety causes after two Swedes had been shot lifeless in an assault in Brussels on Monday.
Spectators on the King Baudouin stadium within the Belgian capital had been advised to stay inside the bottom following an announcement that the gamers wouldn’t return for the second half.
“Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned,” UEFA mentioned on its web site.
Sweden’s soccer affiliation mentioned Belgian police had advised supporters “to stay in the arena for security reasons”.
Two Swedish nationals had been shot lifeless by a suspect who stays at giant, in an assault the Belgian prime minister described as “terrorism”.
Several Belgian media retailers mentioned the 2 people killed had been carrying the jersey of the Sweden nationwide staff.
“Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels,” a Swedish FA social media publish mentioned.
The Belgian nationwide staff’s account wrote: “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Belgium, who had already certified for subsequent yr’s match, had equalised by a Romelu Lukaku penalty after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden earlier than the match was halted with the rating at 1-1.
Belgian media reported that the Swedish gamers didn’t need to proceed the sport after studying of the assault.
Austria had earlier Monday turn into the eighth staff to guide their place on the finals in Germany courtesy of a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan within the different Group F recreation.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after approaching as a half-time substitute for Ralf Rangnick’s aspect.
Perfect Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to take care of their good document in Group J.
Ronaldo, 38, prolonged his males’s document worldwide objectives tally to 127 after an early penalty was adopted by a deft chip that doubled the lead for Portugal in Zenica.
Bruno Fernandes hammered in a 3rd and Joao Cancelo equipped a superb end of his personal, with Joao Felix making it 5 earlier than half-time.
Portugal clinched first place with two video games remaining and have scored 32 occasions and conceded simply twice — each in Friday’s 3-2 win over Slovakia which secured qualification.
Slovakia solidified their grip on second place with a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice for Iceland as they stayed in rivalry with a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein.
Virgil van Dijk transformed a stoppage-time penalty to earn the Netherlands an important 1-0 victory away to Greece in Group B.
Wout Weghorst had a first-half spot-kick saved for the Dutch in Athens, however Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no mistake after a foul on Denzel Dumfries.
The Netherlands drew degree on 12 factors with Greece and have the head-to-head benefit after beating them dwelling and away. Ronald Koeman’s staff even have a recreation in hand on their rivals as they bid to wrap up second behind group winners France.
Brighton’s rising 18-year-old star Evan Ferguson was among the many scorers because the Republic of Ireland dispatched Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal.
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