The two people who were slain, according to a number of Belgian media sources, were donning Sweden national team jerseys.
Due to security concerns following the shooting deaths of two Swedes in an attack in Brussels on Monday, Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Sweden was called off at halftime. Fans were still confined to the stadium.
The players would not be coming back for the second half, and fans at the King Baudouin Stadium in the Belgian capital were instructed to stay inside the stadium.
“The UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden has been abandoned due to a suspected terrorist attack that occurred in Brussels this evening. This decision was made after consulting with both teams and the local police authorities,” UEFA stated on its website.
According to the Swedish Football Association, spectators were instructed “to stay in the arena for security reasons” by Belgian police.
A suspect who is still at the large shot and killed two Swedish nationals in an incident that the prime minister of Belgium called “terrorism”.
The two people who were slain, according to a number of Belgian media sources, were donning Sweden national team jerseys.
A Swedish FA social media statement said, “Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels.”
The national team of Belgium posted on their account, saying, “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Viktor Gyokeres had given Sweden the lead, but the game was stopped with the score at 1-1. Romelu Lukaku’s penalty gave Belgium, who had already qualified for the event the following year, an equalizer.
After learning of the incident, the Swedish players reportedly expressed a desire to stop playing, according to Belgian media.
Austria had earlier on Monday become the eighth team to secure their spot in the German finals after defeating Azerbaijan 1-0 in the other Group F match.
Marcel Sabitzer, a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund, scored a penalty three minutes after replacing Ralf Rangnick’s team at halftime.
Perfect Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to keep their unblemished record in Group J.
Ronaldo, 38, increased his men’s record total of goals for his country to 127 when Portugal doubled their advantage in Zenica thanks to an early penalty and a superb chip.
Before halftime, Bruno Fernandes scored a third goal, Joao Felix made it five, and Joao Cancelo provided an outstanding finish.
With two games left, Portugal has taken the lead and is in first place. They have scored 32 goals and given up just two goals, both in their 3-2 victory over Slovakia on Friday to guarantee their qualification.
Slovakia’s 1-0 victory in Luxembourg cemented their position in second place.
Iceland thrashed Liechtenstein 4-0 to stay in the game thanks to two goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson.
In Group B, Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time penalty kick gave the Netherlands a vital 1-0 victory away to Greece.
Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no errors following a foul on Denzel Dumfries, but Wout Weghorst’s spot kick for the Netherlands in the first half of the match was saved in Athens.
Greece and the Netherlands drew on 12 points, with the Netherlands leading the head-to-head match after defeating Greece both at home and away. Along with a match against their opponents, Ronald Koeman’s team is attempting to finish second behind group winners France.
The Republic of Ireland defeated Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal, with young Brighton sensation Evan Ferguson among the scores at the age of 18.
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