Belgium v Sweden game abandoned after shooting in Brussels

Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifying match against Sweden was abandoned at half-time after police confirmed two people had been shot dead in Brussels before the game on Monday night.

A person claiming affiliation with the terrorist organization Islamic State opened fire on a group of Swedish fans, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.

Disturbing footage, shared by the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, showed a man in an orange jacket on a scooter firing a rifle and seeking shelter in a nearby building.

The match at Stade Roi Baudouin had progressed to half-time, with goals scored by Viktor Gyokeres and Romelu Lukaku. 

However, both teams did not return for the second half. According to Swedish broadcaster TV6, the Swedish players informed UEFA that they were unwilling to continue playing, and the Belgian team concurred with this decision.

UEFA released a statement, which read: "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. Further communication will be made in due course."

I have just offered my sincere condolences to @SwedishPM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones.

As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.

— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) October 16, 2023