BRUSSELS-- The Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime and subsequently abandoned following the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels earlier on Monday, UEFA said. Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level as a man in a video on social media claimed that he was the assailant and that he was from Islamic State. "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 said in a statement on its website. Swedish reporters at the game said they had been informed of the attack just before the national anthems were played. Sweden's players told UEFA they did not want to play the second half and the Belgians agreed, Swedish broadcaster TV6 said. The score was level at 1-1 when news of the suspension came and Sweden's fans were asked to remain in the stadium. "Arrangements to safely escort supporters from the Belgium-Sweden match out of the stadium are being examined," Crisis Centre Belgium said in a post on social media platform X. "Supporters will be given more information at the stadium. Please follow the instructions of the emergency services." The two victims were reported to have been wearing Sweden shirts when they were shot, according to Swedish media. "I feel completely shocked," Sweden fan Pernilla Califf told the Aftonbladet newspaper. "We don't understand anything. Everyone is taking off their Swedish shirts and changing into neutral clothes. This is really unpleasant" 'Completely Unreal' Sweden coach Janne Andersson told a press conference that they had asked not to carry on with the match. "When I came down for the break, I got this information. Immediately, I felt that it was completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today?" he told reporters. "I came into the locker room and when the team started talking we agreed 100 percent that we didn't want to play on out of respect for the victims and their families." Sweden captain Victor Lindelof told the press conference that the players never felt in any danger. "Our security team handled it well and put us at ease. They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels," he said. Belgium had already booked a place at the finals in Germany next year, while Austria's 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan earlier on Monday meant Sweden could not qualify for Euro 2024. "Belgium are already qualified and we don't have the opportunity to get to the European
OSLO - Spain secured a place at Euro 2024 after Gavi's second-half goal was enough to beat Norway 1-0 away on Sunday and they will be joined by Group A rivals Scotland and Turkey from Group D following an eventful night in qualifying.
PHILADELPHIA -- Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each clubbed two home runs and the Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves 10-2 on Wednesday, bringing Philadelphia one win away from eliminating its division rivals in the National League Division Series for the second straight season.
SEVILLA, Spain- - Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet scored second-half goals as Spain ensured their would be no Scottish party with a 2-0 victory in their Euro 2024 Group A encounter on Thursday, leaving a frustrated Scotland waiting to book a finals place. Scotland lead the group with 15 points from their six games having endured defeat for the first time in the campaign, while Spain have 12 points from five matches and Norway 10 from six. Scotland will qualify if Norway fail to win at home to Spain on Sunday. The victory extends Spain's winning run in home Euro qualifiers to 25 matches dating back to 2003, but they were kept at bay for much of the night by some brave Scottish defence, though the loss after 44 minutes of captain Andy Robertson to injury was a blow for the visitors. Scotland thought they had scored the opener midway through the second half when Scott McTominay netted from a freekick, but the goal was ruled out for offside. "The big moments went against us," midfielder John McGinn told Viaplay. "It's a sore blow losing Robbo early, then thinking we're ahead, we regroup and then they score. "You need to be very careful what you say. I think everyone watching that game from a Scotland point of view, wherever you were, it just felt like we weren't getting any 50/50 decisions." Ferran Torres found himself one-on-one with visiting goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the first minute but put his shot wide, and the hosts went closer when Mikel Merino's shot from the edge of the box crashed into the post. McTominay’s freekick from a tight angle squeezed in at the far post, but a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check adjudged defender Jack Hendry to have been offside, before Spain finally made their possession count as Morata stooped to head home Jesus Navas' inviting cross. The points were safe when Aaron Hickey's slip under no pressure allowed Sancet to score from a Joselu cross, though it did appear the last touch came off defender Ryan Porteous. "It was tough today, at the end we take the three points and we're very happy with that," Morata told BBC. "They (Scotland) defended good and they are very dangerous in counter-attacks. When they have this spirit, they are a good team." Norway cruised to victory in the other game in the group as Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-0 win in Cyprus. Turkey claimed a 1-0 victory over Croatia thanks to a goal on the half hour by Baris Yilmaz as they top in Group D with 13 points from six games, three ahead of Croatia, who have played a game fewer. Albania kept up their unexpected challenge for a first ever Euros qualification with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Czech Republic. A brace from Taulant Seferi helped them to the victory that leaves them top of the Group E on 13 points from six games, five ahead of the Czechs in third, who have a game in hand. With fixtures to come against Moldova and Faroe Islands, Albania stand on the brink of their greatest achievement in international football. Sebastian Szymanski and Adam Buksa scored for Poland in a 2-0 win in the Faroes that keeps them second in the group.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Jose Abreu hit one postseason home run in nine seasons with his former team. On Tuesday, he hit two homers with his new club, helping the Astros cruise to a 9-1 win over the Minnesota Twins in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, moving Houston one victory away from advancing.
