Austria Qualifies, Sweden Out: Euro 2024 Tragedy Unfolds

 Austria Qualifies, Sweden Out: Euro 2024 Tragedy Unfolds

Philipp Lienhart of Austria and Linus Wahlqvist of Sweden during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group J match between Austria and Sweden at Ernst Happel Stadion on June 20, 2023 in Vienna, Austria.(Image-Getty)

Austria Secures Euro 2024 Spot, Sweden Misses Out After Tragic Abandonment

Austria's victory over Azerbaijan sealed their spot in the Euro 2024 tournament, leaving Sweden out for the first time in 28 years. The match between Sweden and Belgium was abruptly halted at halftime following the tragic shooting of two Swedish nationals in Brussels. Belgium heightened its terror alert as a purported Islamic State assailant claimed responsibility in a video on social media.

Amid the unsettled circumstances, the Swedes called for the match to be abandoned, with the score tied at 1-1. Despite Sweden's early lead through Viktor Gyokeres, Romelu Lukaku's penalty leveled the game. Belgium had already secured their place in the finals, while Sweden's hopes were dashed.

In other Euro 2024 qualifying matches, the Netherlands secured a last-minute 1-0 victory over Greece, with Virgil van Dijk converting a dramatic late penalty. France had already qualified from their group, while the Netherlands positioned themselves in second place. Ireland also clinched a 4-0 win over Gibraltar, but their qualification hopes were already dashed.

Meanwhile, Portugal, having already secured their spot in the Euro 2024, dominated Bosnia & Herzegovina 5-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a brace. In Group J, Slovakia's 1-0 victory over Luxembourg edged them closer to their third successive Euro appearance, while Iceland secured a 4-0 win against Liechtenstein, led by Gylfi Sigurdsson's brace.