Euro 2024: Austria qualify, Ronaldo scores twice on day overshadowed by Brussels shooting

Austria became the latest team to book their place at Euro 2024 in Germany after substitute Marcel Sabitzer scored from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 win at Azerbaijan on a day overshadowed by a deadly shooting in Brussels which saw Belgium's game against Sweden abandoned at halftime.

“Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” a post from the Belgian national team read on X, formerly known as Twitter.

European football governing body Uefa confirmed the Group F match had been called off following consultation with both teams and local police.

The score was 1-1 at the time. Viktor Gyokeres gave Sweden a 15th-minute lead, but Romelu Lukaku had Belgium level just after the half-hour.

Belgium had already qualified for Euro 2024 while Sweden's chances of a top-two place had been ended by Austria's victory earlier.

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After losing 3-2 to Belgium in Vienna last week in the fight for Group F supremacy – Austria's only defeat in seven qualifying games so far – Sabitzer and his teammates knew a win in Baku would secure a spot at the tournament in Germany.

With several key players sidelined because of injuries, Austria struggled to create chances in the first half but were awarded a penalty minutes into the second half after a handball. Sabitzer was clinical in converting with a strike into the corner in the 48th minute.

Borussia Dortmund player Sabitzer recently returned to fitness after recovering from an adductor injury he picked up last month in a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Austria finished with 10 men after striker Guido Burgstaller was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

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