Belgium's Game Against Sweden Abandoned At Half-Time After Two Fans Killed In Terrorist Attack

Monday night's Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time after two football fans were shot dead in Brussels earlier in the evening.

Two Swedish supporters were killed after a gunman opened fire in the Belgian capital at around 7.15pm local time, just under two hours before kick-off at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Footage of the shooting has since gone viral on social media, along with a video that shows the killer speaking in Arabic and declaring that he carried out the attack in the name of God.

The game initially went ahead and was level at 1-1 after 45 minutes of play. But it did not restart for the second half.

A photo taken inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time due to an act of terrorism in the city that resulted in two Swedish fans being shot dead

IMAGO/Photo News/Peter De Voecht

Instead, fans were locked inside the stadium for their own safety as an announcement was made over the speaker system.

Fans were told in English, French, Dutch and Swedish that "the players decided they do not want to continue the game, because of what happened earlier today in Brussels."

The announcement was met with applause.

A statement published by UEFA later on Monday 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."

At the time of the statement, police had not yet found or arrested the gunman.

He was shot dead by police on Tuesday at a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of Brussels.