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Mikey Johnston has warned the Netherlands not to underestimate the Republic of Ireland as the Dutch attempt to book their place at the finals of Euro 2024. Barring an unlikely sequence of events which would hand Ireland a play-off place, they will not be in Germany next summer, but the Netherlands will be if they can take maximum points from their remaining Group B fixtures against Stephen Kenny’s men and Gibraltar next month. Monday night’s last-gasp 1-0 win in Greece as the Republic beat Gibraltar 4-0 in Faro left the Netherlands in pole position to claim second place behind France, but Celtic winger Johnston, who was on the scoresheet along with Evan Ferguson, Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson, is determined to end a disappointing campaign on a high. Asked if he saw the trip to Amsterdam as a chance to bloody the nose of one of European football’s big guns, who won 2-1 in Dublin last month, the 24-year-old said: “I think we have shown we can do that. “Obviously the results haven’t gone our way, but we went toe-to-toe with them and it’s just fine margins. “At either end in the box, we’ve not been good enough at times, conceding goals we shouldn’t have and maybe we’ve not taken our chances as well. “This group has given everything to qualify and that’s all we can ask.” Our group is obviously tough, but we are not making excuses, we still believed we could qualify from the group. Mikey Johnston Ireland always knew they had a tough task to get out of the group when they were drawn against both the Dutch and World Cup runners-up France. But defeat by the Greeks in Athens in their second fixture left them up against it and they will head into their final fixture with only six points banked from the first seven, all of them against whipping boys Gibraltar. That return has left manager Kenny facing a review next month which might well have been brought forward despite assurances to the contrary had things gone badly at the Estadio Algarve, and few commentators expect him to remain in his role. Asked to assess the campaign, Johnston said: “Obviously it’s disappointing that we haven’t qualified. Our group is obviously tough, but we are not making excuses, we still believed we could qualify from the group.” Whether or not Kenny is involved in the international set-up beyond November remains to be seen, but Johnston will hope his efforts to date in the green shirt will lead to further caps. His six appearances so far – the last of them a first start – have yielded two goals and an exciting brand of football which has at times been missing from Kenny’s team despite the manager’s attempts to adopt a more progressive approach. Johnston spent last season on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal, but has missed the start of the new campaign back at Celtic after suffering a stress fracture in his back, and he is now looking to catch the eye of club boss Brendan Rodgers. He said: “I’m just trying to work my way behind the scenes to get my opportunity. The manager has got tough decisions to make. He has got wingers that he has brought in for a few million and whatever, so it’s up to me to get into the team.” Read More On this day in 2018: Shahid Khan withdraws £900m offer to buy Wembley from FA Dallas Cowboys bounce back to edge past Los Angeles Chargers Stephen Kenny focused on fixtures instead of future after Ireland beat Gibraltar David Brooks looks to impress for Wales at a major tournament Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics

It was a character reference for a man who has become an ambassador of sorts for Saudi Arabia. The England faithful – or some of them, anyway – had turned on Jordan Henderson when he was booed off in Friday’s win over Australia. The England manager offered an endorsement of his vice-captain: not merely as a midfielder, either, but as a principled individual. The Henderson of Al-Ettifaq, the man who used to support the NHS and the LGBTQ community instead plugging Saudi’s 2034 World Cup bid, stands accused of either being the opposite of the Liverpool incarnation or a figure whose decision to join the Saudi Pro League led him to become a public face of a repressive regime. Gareth Southgate can see why many have a sense of disappointment, why there is a seeming contradiction. Yet he also argued that Henderson remains the same person, one who has helped create the right kind of culture with England. “What I do understand is that people would feel that the decision Jordan would go and play there doesn’t align with his strong support of the LGBTQ community in the past,” he said. “I have not seen him comment anywhere differently. I don’t believe he is an individual whose values and principles have changed. “I would back him against pretty much anyone in the country in terms of what he stands for and what he believes in but I accept that the decision to go and play there doesn’t align that. He understands that; he accepts that.” But Southgate does not appreciate the jeers. “We have had a couple of incidents that I don’t understand because I don’t think any player wearing an England shirt warrants that,” he added. “I grew up seeing John Barnes receive that kind of criticism so that has never helped the team.” But if others were booed for their skin colour, Henderson has brought a reaction with his apparent hypocrisy has drawn. Deliberately or otherwise, Southgate drew a distinction between Harry Maguire, barracked mercilessly by Scotland supporters at Hampden Park last month but normally hailed by England fans, if not all of their Manchester United counterparts, and Henderson. There is nevertheless the feeling that three players created problems for Southgate with their decisions in the summer transfer market: Henderson by swapping Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, Maguire and Kalvin Phillips by opting to stay at clubs where they feature infrequently and when they had the option to move for more first-team football. Issues feel unavoidable until Southgate drops them, and thus far he has shown no willingness to do that. “I will always pick the players that I think are the best players to represent the team, that give us the best chance of winning, unless there is something I think is not appropriate,” he said, with the clear inference that Henderson, who captained his country against Australia, has not breached his code. “People may disagree with Jordan’s decision, given the stance he has taken in the past to support the LGBT community, but I don’t think that is a reason to not select him and I don’t actually think that is a reason to boo him.” If the stubbornness in Southgate has become more apparent, so has the loyalty towards his stalwarts; in September, he branded the treatment of Maguire “a joke”. The former Liverpool captain and the deposed United skipper, he said, have helped bring the “unmeasurable factors” of team spirit and togetherness. It gives them credit in the bank, if not necessarily forever. “It wouldn’t be fair to say I am going to support them regardless if better, younger players come through but I am also going to defend our team because we need that strength and the two players you are talking about have performed again and again in massive games,” he said. And England against Italy tends to belong in that category, and not merely the Euro 2020 final when Maguire thumped in an emphatic penalty in the shootout Roberto Mancini’s side won. In 1997, an England side featuring Southgate qualified for the World Cup with a 0-0 draw against the Azzurri; now the same result would secure a place at Euro 2024. Henderson may be a distraction: indeed his presence in the starting 11 in the second-string side against Australia might indicate that Phillips is likelier to begin Tuesday’s game. The wider question, separated from the moral issue, is whether Henderson, plying his trade in a far weaker domestic league and in debilitating heat, remains a good enough player to retain his place. “We will assess Jordan like every other player but if I just select on a popularity contest then our team would look very, very different,” Southgate said. Perhaps Henderson, an unflashy workhorse, would never have won a popularity contest as a footballer, though, increasingly, he may have done as a role model. The difference now is that he could triumph in an unpopularity contest with a public who feel betrayed. Read More Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’ Gareth Southgate questions why England fans booed Jordan Henderson Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Southgate addresses Henderson criticism ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’

Luciano Spalletti was supposed to be on his Tuscan farm now. Arguably, though, he should still be at Napoli, managing what had looked like Europe’s most unexpectedly entertaining side. Instead, he will be at Wembley on Tuesday, in charge of Italy, his appointment a consequence of a combination of factors from the personal to the political, the footballing to the financial. Or, in a different way, of two emails. One, triggering the extension in his Napoli contract without a pay rise, stemmed from club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, and instead prompted his resignation. A need for a sabbatical on his farm the cited reason; a breakdown in relationships more of a cause. The other, from Roberto Mancini’s camp a few months later, was his sudden resignation as Italy manager, the first to lead the Azzurri to a major title since Enzo Bearzot, trading the patriotism of leading his country for a reported £20m a year to take charge of Saudi Arabia instead. And so it will be Spalletti in England, his presence a product of the enduring pulling power of the Azzurri job. While elite club coaches often eschew the international game, three of the last four incumbents, including Antonio Conte, are Scudetto winners, whereas no England manager has won the Premier League or the old Division 1 since Don Revie. It comes after the greatest feat of a career in the dugout that dates back three decades. Spalletti became only the third manager to secure Napoli the Serie A title, and the first to do so without the benefit of Diego Maradona’s genius. The title was clinched in May: the footballing high came last autumn, amid a run of 13 consecutive wins in all competitions. There were 20 goals in the Champions League group stage: the 4-1 evisceration of Liverpool was, despite Manchester City’s spring demolitions of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, arguably the finest performance in the competition all season. Rewind a year and Napoli were arguably the best side in world football at the time. Which few predicted after the departures of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly. If there was magic in Spalletti’s attacking side, there was also the element of the unknown, in the revelation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. What it was not, however, was a particularly Italian team: only three of the 14 players with the most appearances are even eligible for the Azzurri. Spalletti may name two of his former charges in his starting XI at Wembley, but while Giovanni Di Lorenzo captained Napoli, Giacomo Raspadori was only the understudy to the prolific Victor Osimhen. If Spalletti’s alchemy is illustrated by Napoli’s struggles under his successor Rudi Garcia – beaten three times already at home this season, they have lost to each of the best sides they have faced – it may be required by Italy. His inheritance is mixed. “Once we have played [England], then I will tell you what the potential is,” Spalletti said after Saturday’s 4-0 win over Malta. It is little more than a year since Italy were on a record run of 37 games unbeaten. It is only 28 months since the Azzurri won Euro 2020 at Wembley; in a rematch with England, perhaps only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo and Nicolo Barella will start both games. Before England’s March win in Naples, Mancini lamented the Italian talent pool. “We are worse off than Southgate,” he said. It was a sign of the negativity enveloping him, an indication of the disenchantment that may have propelled him to the desert. He gave 57 players their debuts, casting around with ingenuity and impatience. He looked to the Oriundi, seeking to naturalise some from the Italian diaspora. Spalletti has dropped the Argentina-born forward Mateo Retegui; he has also omitted some of the stalwarts of the recent past, in Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Jorginho, while recalling Giacomo Bonaventura who, at 34, is older than his fellow midfielders. He has five of Internazionale’s Champions League final starters and has given a debut to Tottenham’s in-form left-back Destiny Udogie. In other respects, however, it could be seen as an undistinguished squad, certainly compared to Italy’s past. Lose and, if Ukraine beat Malta, Italy will find themselves three points behind their rivals for second spot, with a game in hand but a de facto decider when they face Ukraine in Leverkusen in November. It could mean Italy miss three of four major tournaments after Euro 2016; the added curiosity being that they won the other one. In part, it reflects the tragedy of Mancini; unused as a hugely gifted forward in the 1990 World Cup, omitted in 1994 after falling out with Arrigo Sacchi, he had declared his ambition was to win the World Cup as Italy manager. Instead, they failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament; if he is at the 2026 version, it will be as the richly rewarded Saudi Arabia manager. There will be no Euro 2024 for him; there may be for Spalletti. A wizened, gnomic figure is scarcely the stereotype of an Italian manager: more attack-minded, more idealistic, for years the architect of sides who were stylish nearly men. But then so, too, were an Azzurri side who influenced him in his upbringing. At his unveiling, Spalletti said he would carry the giant Italy flag his mother sewed for him as an 11-year-old to celebrate the 1970 World Cup semi-final win against West Germany. It was an epic 4-3. More than half a century later, Spalletti has no Gigi Riva, Gianni Rivera or Sandro Mazzola, nor an Osimhen or a Kvaratskhelia, no world-class forward. But, for the second time in two seasons, he has the chance to use his principles and his capacity to generate something spectacular from seemingly unpromising ingredients to make history. Read More Wembley revenge to seal place at Euro 2024? – England v Italy talking points Gareth Southgate fired up as England face ‘revitalised’ Italy in crunch clash England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate Belgium officials release details on suspected shooter of Sweden fans On this day in 2018: Shahid Khan withdraws £900m offer to buy Wembley from FA

American billionaire Shahid Khan withdrew his offer to buy Wembley Stadium from the Football Association on this day in 2018. The proposed deal was worth £900million and the FA was planning to spend the money on transforming grassroots facilities across the country over the next 20 years but the idea of selling the stadium, which cost £757million to build, proved to be controversial with many in the game. The owner of Fulham and NFL side the Jacksonville Jaguars felt his offer to buy Wembley proved more divisive than initially anticipated and decided to pull out. In a statement, FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “Shahid Khan has informed us today that he will be withdrawing his offer to buy the stadium – and we fully respect his decision. “At a recent meeting with Mr Khan he expressed to us that, without stronger support from within the game, his offer is being seen as more divisive than it was anticipated to be and has decided to withdraw his proposal.” The proposed deal had the support of the FA’s senior leadership, including Glenn himself, and was also backed by the government but there were significant doubts elsewhere, most notably at the grassroots level itself. Khan’s intention was to eventually use Wembley as a home for his relocated Jaguars but was also willing to agree on several highly restrictive conditions on how he would run the national stadium, one of them being to keep the venue for all of English football’s biggest games. However, wider concerns about whether the FA was selling the family silver too cheaply, its ability to spend the money wisely and Khan’s long-term plans for the stadium all led to the downfall of the sale. In a statement, Khan, 68, said: “I’ve been clear publicly as well as in my correspondence with the FA Council that it would require a proper partnership, with the full and enthusiastic commitment of all involved, to maximise the benefits to the FA and game of football. “At this moment, following last week’s FA Council hearing, it appears there is no definitive mandate to sell Wembley and my current proposal, subsequently, would earn the backing of only a slim majority of the FA Council, well short of the conclusive margin that the FA chairman has required. “The intent of my efforts was, and is, to do right by everyone in a manner that strengthens the English game and brings people together, not divide them. “Unfortunately, given where we are today, I’ve concluded that the outcome of a vote next week would be far from sufficient in expressing the broad support favoured by the FA chairman to sell Wembley Stadium. “I am respectfully withdrawing my offer to purchase Wembley Stadium.” Read More Dallas Cowboys bounce back to edge past Los Angeles Chargers Eddie Jones commits his coaching future to Australia Stephen Kenny focused on fixtures instead of future after Ireland beat Gibraltar David Brooks looks to impress for Wales at a major tournament Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics

Ahead of their Monday Night Football game, the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers got into a fight.

VIDEO: Cowboys - Chargers pregame fight.

Stephen Kenny is thinking only of the Republic of Ireland’s final Euro 2024 qualifier in the Netherlands after avoiding a potential banana skin against Gibraltar. Monday evening’s 4-0 win over Group B’s basement boys handed Ireland just a second victory in seven attempts in qualification, and they will head for Amsterdam next month to face a Dutch side still to secure a place at next summer’s finals. That game and the friendly against New Zealand which follows it seem likely to be Kenny’s last at the helm, with his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign. However, asked after the victory at the Estadio Algarve if that would be it for him, Kenny said: “That’s out of my control, I can’t affect that. For me, I’ve got to try and get a result in Amsterdam. “It’s a big game. Holland need to win to qualify. They will be flying. We’ve got to put a performance in against Holland in Amsterdam. It’s a big challenge, it’s one we are looking forward to. Out of that, it’s out of my control. “I honestly don’t know. It may well be. I’ll give it everything against Holland and New Zealand. There’s no doubt, of course I want to be the manager of Ireland. It’s brilliant.” Kenny has found himself under intense pressure since Friday night’s 2-0 home defeat by Greece – who also won the reverse fixture in Athens 2-1 – which ended Ireland’s hopes of automatic qualification. There’s also been a lot of good football that people shouldn’t forget either Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny The 51-year-old, who insisted before the game that he was not considering resigning, said: “I understand the Greek results, I understand that. Losing to Greece, that’s a 50-50 game. We lost it. There’s a lot of criticism because of that. “That’s OK. There’s also been a lot of good football that people shouldn’t forget either.” Evan Ferguson’s early strike set Kenny’s men on their way in Faro before Mikey Johnston made it 2-0 at the break, and second-half strikes from Matt Doherty and substitute Callum Robinson completed a win which was every bit as regulation as it should have been against a side who have now played 44 Euro and World Cup qualifiers and are yet to collect a point. The manager was delighted with the way his players responded to the defeat by the Greeks. He said: “We’re disappointed having lost the game on Friday. To put that behind them and to train and get themselves ready in a professional way and then work the openings for the goals in a very clever way, it made the finishes easier. “The players deserve credit because it was a professional job on the night, a good performance. We could have got a lot more goals.” Kenny was particularly pleased with Celtic winger Johnston’s contribution as he claimed a second senior international goal on his first start for his country. He said: “Mikey Johnston, he needs games. The tempo of that game isn’t Greece and Holland. He is a talent, he will be a good player for Ireland.” Read More David Brooks looks to impress for Wales at a major tournament Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine A closer look at the five sports given the go-ahead for the 2028 Olympic Games

Get all the details on Week 8 of ESPN College GameDay, including the location and schedule.

David Brooks is determined to shine at a major tournament for Wales after suffering finals disappointment in the past. Wales put automatic qualification for Euro 2024 in their own hands by beating Croatia 2-1 on Sunday as Brooks made his first international start since June 2021. Brooks was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021, and it has been a long road back to form and fitness as the 26-year-old’s body took time to recover from the full effects of the disease. The Bournemouth forward missed Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years after playing a limited role at the Covid-delayed European Championships in 2021, managing only 31 minutes in three substitute appearances. “The last couple of times we’ve been, I didn’t play as big a part as I would have liked,” said Brooks, who travelled to Qatar last year to support Wales at the World Cup when building up his fitness. “I had to accept it because Gareth Bale was in front of me and he’s a living legend. “So I’d love to go and be part of the team. It’s massive for me, that’s what I want to achieve in my career, I’ll be ready to go.” I had to accept it (not playing) because Gareth Bale was in front of me and he’s a living legend David Brooks Brooks scored in the 2-0 win in Latvia last month after coming on as a second-half substitute and showed signs he was back to his best against Croatia, despite not being a Premier League regular at Bournemouth. He produced some delightful touches in the opening 45 minutes against the World Cup semi-finalists, and then set up the first of Harry Wilson’s two goals before making way just before the hour mark. “The occasion got a little bit the better of me, getting cramp earlier than I thought I would,” Brooks said. “I said when I scored against Latvia it was a very proud moment and this was exactly the same. “I don’t think anyone gave us a chance against Croatia but we’re not scared of playing anyone. “We had a small dip in form in the summer camp to take it out of our hands, and if we have a good camp next time we’re through. “You can see by the performances we are playing for the gaffer (Rob Page) and we love having him.” Wales will secure automatic qualification for next summer’s Euro finals in Germany by beating Armenia and Turkey in November. If they fail to do so, they are guaranteed a play-off spot in March. Page pointed out after the victory that took Wales into second spot behind group leaders Turkey seven of his starting XI are currently not playing first-team football at their respective clubs. Goalkeeper Danny Ward is among that number as he has yet to play for Leicester this season. Asked how it was possible to beat Croatia with the squad having played so little first-team football, Ward said: “Very famously Gareth (Bale) said ‘it’s the Dragon on the chest’ and he’s not wrong. “The last camp for us was big. Two clean sheets, two positive performances. The foundations were set there as a group and this was a typical Wales performance. “It was backs to the wall at times and moments of real quality. Our togetherness got us through in the end.” Read More Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine A closer look at the five sports given the go-ahead for the 2028 Olympic Games Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy

Under-fire manager Stephen Kenny was spared further punishment as the Republic of Ireland eased to a 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Gibraltar. Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson fired the visitors into an eighth-minute lead at the Estadio Algarve with his third senior international goal before Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, Wolves defender Matt Doherty and substitute Callum Robinson struck to wrap up just a second win of the Group B campaign. Kenny had gone into the game insisting he would remain in charge until a review of his reign has been carried out after November’s fixtures, although a poor result here would only have increased the clamour for change. In the event, Ireland negotiated a game they should have won comfortably with the minimum of fuss to complete a double over the minnows ahead of next month’s trip to the Netherlands. Once again, there will be only pride at stake in Amsterdam, with hopes of automatic qualification having been extinguished by Friday night’s 2-0 home defeat by Greece, and even the possibility of a play-off place looks ever more faint by the day. The games against Gibraltar, who have now played 44 European Championship and World Cup qualifiers and not collected a single point, were never going to be the yardstick for the Football Association of Ireland’s review and, while embarrassment was avoided with ease, difficult questions remain for a manager whose 28 competitive fixtures have yielded just six wins. Kenny, who once again deployed a back four rather than his usual three, handed Johnston a first senior international start in the search for much-needed creativity. However, it was from the opposite flank that the visitors struck first when Chiedozie Ogbene rolled a pass into the overlapping Doherty’s run and the unmarked Ferguson steered his eighth-minute cross past helpless goalkeeper Dayle Coleing. Luton striker Ogbene continued to look Ireland’s most potent weapon from wide on the right and, with Josh Cullen probing from central midfield, they dominated possession without creating clear-cut openings. They might have extended their lead when Ryan Manning’s 24th-minute corner was allowed to travel across the six-yard-box untouched, but Shane Duffy was unable to stab it home beyond the far post. Coleing was forced to palm away Johnston’s swerving attempt after he had skipped past Tjay de Barr and Liam Walker seconds later. The Celtic man did get his name on the scoresheet with 29 minutes gone when Doherty accepted another Ogbene pass in the space between defenders Jayce Olivero and John Sergeant and crossed for the winger to slide in and, after his initial attempt had come back off a post, bundle the rebound across the line. Coleing had to race from his line to prevent Johnston from reaching Jamie McGrath’s defence-splitting pass seven minutes before the break and then blocked Ferguson’s stabbed effort after Johnston had pulled the ball back. Walker mustered Gibraltar’s first effort in stoppage time after De Barr robbed Johnston and ran into space down the right, but the midfielder’s attempt flew harmlessly wide. Coleing plucked McGrath’s header out of the night sky after he had connected with Ogbene’s cross and then blocked Jason Knight’s firm drive, but he was a relieved man when Duffy’s volley from a Johnston corner flew just wide in a flurry of activity at the start of the second half. Knight sent a diving header wide from Johnston’s 51st-minute cross with the Gibraltar defence at sixes and sevens and Ferguson was unable to hit the target with a free-kick from 25 yards as the Republic looked to kill off the game. Johnston saw a shot deflected wide on the hour but then delivered a corner which was cleverly flicked on by McGrath for Doherty to head past the keeper from point-blank range. Substitute Robinson completed the job with an 80th-minute header to match the 4-0 scoreline when the sides last met in Faro in 2015. Read More England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine A closer look at the five sports given the go-ahead for the 2028 Olympic Games Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy England ‘not too concerned’ despite World Cup hopes hanging by a thread Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos 5 talking points as Northern Ireland look for back-to-back wins

Thousands of Belgium and Sweden fans were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after a fatal shooting in the city on Monday evening. The Uefa Euro 2024 qualifier was suspended at half-time with the sides drawing 1-1 and later abandoned, with the incident three miles away. The Swedish players told Uefa they did not want to play the second half of the match, with more than 35,000 fans attending, and the Belgium players were in agreement, according to Swedish broadcaster TV6. Brussels shooting - live: Two Swedes shot dead as Belgium police probe possible terror attack Police say two people were killed after a gunman opened fire in the Belgian city, with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirming the victims were Swedish. Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. The man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter Local media outlets said the two victims were Swedish nationals, with the country’s football association urging fans to remain inside the stadium and stay calm. A statement from the SvFF read: “For security reasons, the Belgian police want Swedish supporters to stay in the arena. Take part in information from officials, responsible authorities and SvFF's staff on site. “We will return when the Belgian authorities provide us with new information. Keep calm and take care of each other.” Fredrik Reinfeldt, president of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), called the news “devastating”. While Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo “offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM 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.” An hour after the match was suspended, reports suggested the atmosphere inside the stadium was “calm”, though many fans were unable to access the internet. The Belgian FA also confirmed: “Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected.” While Uefa added: "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.” Viktor Gyokeres had given Sweden the lead, though Romelu Lukaku equalised for the hosts, who sit top of Group F and already secure of a place at next summer’s tournament in Germany. Read More Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine

Northern Ireland Under-21s lost 2-1 to Serbia in their Euro 2025 qualifier after Milos Pantovic struck a late winner at Mourneview Park. Ciaran McGuckin cancelled out Vladimir Lucic’s opener with a second-half spot-kick, but the visitors took full advantage of a moment of Northern Irish indecision to seal all three points. Serbia skipper Lucic handed his side a 1-0 lead with a super strike, dodging his marker before tucking the ball past a sprawling Stephen McMullan, who soon made a good save to deny the visitors a quick second. The hosts came close when Charlie Allen crossed from the edge of the area, looking for Justin Devenny, who was within inches of an equaliser at the far post but the ball instead took a deflection off a Serbian defender before bouncing out of danger. Northern Ireland drew level after the break when Marko Lazetic barged into Tommy Fogarty and, despite Serbia’s protestations, Norwegian referee Kristoffer Hagenes deemed the off-the-ball shove forceful enough to award the hosts a penalty, dutifully struck into the bottom right by McGuckin. It took a fine save by Veljko Ilic to stop a surging JJ McKiernan from handing Northern Ireland the lead before Pantovic pounced on a loose ball inside the box, which appeared to hit his hand as it bounced up before tapping in the winner. No handball was awarded, however, the Serbian’s effort ultimately proving enough to seal the result. Read More I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine