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Bosnia-Herzegovina - Belgium (WC 2010 qualification match) on 01.04.2009

Result : 2-1

A second win in five days against Belgium enabled Bosnia-Herzegovina to strengthen their grip on second place in FIFA World Cup qualification Group 5 behind Spain.

Early double
Belgium appeared unable to clear their heads following the 4-2 reverse in Genk on Saturday and found themselves two down inside 15 minutes, with Edin Džeko finding the net on both occasions. Gill Swerts pulled a goal back with two minutes to play but the Red Devils are now five points behind their opponents while the hosts extended their lead over third-placed Turkey to four points.

Double blow
The Bilino Polje Stadium crowd were on their feet after 12 minutes when Zvjezdan Misimović crossed and Džeko rose highest to force his effort past goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen. No sooner had the celebrations subsided than Miroslav Blažević's men added another. Sanel Jahić's long ball released Senijad Ibričić and his resulting delivery was magnificently dispatched by Džeko.

Witsel dismissed
The home team were happy to sit on their advantage and Belgium were restricted to long-range attempts against a strong Bosnia-Herzegovina defence for the remainder of the half. In the second period, René Vandereycken's side had more possession still, despite losing Axel Witsel to a red card on the hour.

Swerts consolation
Džeko was denied his hat-trick by Stijnen before Belgium almost began a comeback as goalkeeper Nemanja Supić saved Wesley Sonck's header from a Marouane Fellaini cross. They did finally reduce arrears when Swerts turned in Tom De Sutter's pass, but with a trip to Spain on the horizon, Belgium face an uphill struggle to finish in the top two. Bosnia-Herzegovina host Armenia in their next match.

Events and lineups

Bosnia-Herzegovina : Supic, Pandza, Nadarevic, Spahic, Ibricic (75' Pjanic), Rahimic, Berberovic, Muratovic (87' Bajramovic), Jahic, Misimovic, Dzeko (90+4' Topic)

Belgium : Stijnen, Swerts, Simons, Kompany, Vermaelen, Mudingayi (58' De Sutter), Witsel, Mirallas (73' Hazard), Fellaini, Dembélé, Sonck (90' Gillet)

Goals : 11' Dzeko 1-0, 14' Dzeko 2-0, 88' Swerts 2-1

Yellow cards : 52' Swerts, 56' Misimovic, 66' Jahic, 90' Supic

Red card : 61' Witsel

Edin Džeko's early goal sent Bosnia-Herzegovina on their way as they produced one of the shock results of the night by beating Belgium in Genk.

Early lead
The VfL Wolfsburg striker exploited lackadaisical defending to curl a right-footed shot into the net after seven minutes as Belgium struggled to get out of the blocks. Although Wesley Sonck hit the outside of the post later in the half, it took 65 minutes before Belgium finally levelled the FIFA World Cup Group 5 tie with Moussa Dembélé finishing off a Gill Swerts cross.

Scant consolation
The game was then held up for several minutes due to incidents in the crowd, and when it resumed Bosnia-Herzegovina swiftly restored their advantage. Sanel Jahić beat goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen after the Red Devils' rearguard was caught napping once more. Zlatan Bajramović was next to outwit Stijnen in a one-on-one on 81 minutes, before Zvezdjan Misimović made it 4-1 five minutes later after holding off Timmy Simons. Sonck's late penalty was scant consolation. The two sides meet again in Sarajevo on Wednesday.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Swerts, Simons, Vermaelen, Daems (80' De Sutter), Mudingayi, Defour (58' Pocognoli), Fellaini, Dembélé, De Camargo (44' Hazard), Sonck

Bosnia-Herzegovina : Supic, Berberovic, Pandza, Nadarevic, Spahic (59' Mrvac), Ibricic, Muratovic, Jahic, Muslimovic (69' Bajramovic), Misimovic, Dzeko (88' Pjanic)

Goals : 7' Dzeko 0-1, 64' Dembélé 1-1, 74' Jahic 1-2, 82' Bajramovic 1-3, 86' Misimovic 1-4, 89' Sonck 2-4 (pen.)

Yellow cards : 34' Fellaini, 57' Misimovic, 58' Ibricic, 67' Muratovic, 76' Dembélé

Lineups and events

Belgium : Stijnen, Vanden Borre, Simons, Van Buyten, Vermaelen (45' Swerts), Witsel (77' Gillet), Vertonghen (87' Simaeys), Defour (59' Hazard), Dembélé (82' De Sutter), Mirallas (46' Martens), De Camargo

Slovenia : Handanovic, Brecko, Cesar (75' Suler), Morec, Jokic, Stevanovic (64' Sisic), Komac (45+1' Radosavljevic), Koren, Birsa (68' Mejac), Novakovic, Ljubijankic (50' Dedic)

Goals : 20' et 85' Van Buyten 1-0 et 2-0

Yellow card : Radosavljevic

Referee : S. Kever



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Lineups and events

Luxembourg : Joubert, Martino (72' Kitzinger), Strasser (90' Lombardelli), Payal, Hoffmann, Wagner, Bettmer (67' Gerson), Peters, Bossi (46' Leweck), Bensi (46' Kitenge), Mutsch

Belgium : Proto, Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Simons (67' Simaeys), Vermaelen (46' Daems), Gillet (84' Overmeire), Vertonghen (46' Van Damme), Mirallas (75' De Sutter), Martens, Huysegems, Sonck (67' Hazard)

Goals : 22' Mirallas 0-1, 47' Mutsch 1-1

Referee : M. Riley (ENG)


PCO/Comm. & Market.

Vast support
An estimated 13,000 visiting fans flocked to the Roi Baudouin Stadium to support the European champions but they were given an early shock when Wesley Sonck headed the hosts in front on seven minutes. Andrés Iniesta hauled his side level later in the first half, though, before Villa ended Belgium's unbeaten start to qualification with a header of his own in the 88th minute.

Belgium domination
The home team should have been behind two minutes in but Stijn Stijnen made a double save from Fernando Torres and Villa. The feat spurred on René Vandereycken's men and, when their first corner was not properly defended by Spain, Vincent Kompany crossed from the left for Sonck to nod it past Iker Casillas. Belgium had begun with a barracade of five defenders and two defensive midfielders, and with Axel Witsel, Steven Defour and Sonck providing attacking intent, and for half an hour they seemed comfortable with their lead, particularly after Fernando Torres limped off injured.

Spain spirit
But, nine minutes before the interval, Iniesta was given possession by Marouane Fellaini and broke into the area before firing past Stijnen and into the right corner from a narrow angle to restore parity. At the start of the second period, Belgium found fresh impetus and it led to opportunities for Fellaini, Defour and Witsel, with the third-mentioned forcing Casillas into a fine save. However, Spain came again with Cesc Fàbregas forcing Stijnen into a stop before Daniel Güiza crossed from the left and Villa evaded Thomas Vermaelen to seal a thrilling revival.

Lineups and events

Belgium : Stijnen - Vanden Borre (88' Gillet), Kompany, Simons (c), Van Buyten (46' Daems), Vermaelen - Defour (73' Van Damme), Fellaini, Vertonghen, Witsel - Sonck

Spain : Casillas (c) - Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Juanito, Capdevila - Cazorla (64' Xabi Alonso), Marcos Senna, Xavi, Iniesta (85' Güiza) - Torres (16' Fabregas), Villa

Goals : 7' Sonck (1-0), 36' Iniesta (1-1), 88' Villa (1-2)

Yellow cards : Simons, Vertonghen, Iniesta, Puyol, Fabregas, Villa

Referee : Tom Henning Ovrebo (NOR)

Audience : 45.888

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Gillet, Kompany, Simons, Van Damme, Defour (73' Huysegems), Fellaini, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembélé, Sonck (87' De Sutter)

Armenia : Berezovski, Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Arekelyan, Voskanyan, Zebelyan (82' Melkonyan), Karamyan (85' Mkhitaryan), Aleksanyan (65' Hakobyan), Pachajyan, Mkrtchyan, Tateosyan

Goals : 22' Sonck 1-0, 38' Fellaini 2-0

Yellow cards : Tateosyan (33'), Aleksanyan (58')

Referee : Peter Rasmussen (DEN)

Audience : 20.949

Turkey - Belgium (WC 2010 qualification match) on 10.09.2008

Result : 1-1

Emre Belözoglu rescued Turkey from defeat with a 74th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot in a 1-1 home draw with Group 5 rivals Belgium.

Sonck opener
Belgium had earlier taken a first-half lead through Wesley Sonck at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium but eventually had to settle for a point that leaves the two teams level on four apiece from their opening two fixtures on the road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

Wesley Sonck who scores

Sonck heads opener
Turkey suffered an early setback in the match when forward Tuncay Şanlı limped off in the 13th minute, Halil Alintop taking his place. After a quiet opening phase the match sprang into life with Sonck's 31st-minute goal for Rene Vandereycken's team, the Club Brugge KV striker heading home following Jan Vertonghen's free-kick into the box. Fatih Terim's hosts pushed for an equaliser after the break and their pressure finally produced a reward when Axel Witsel handled the ball inside the Belgium area and Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Emre converted the ensuing spot-kick.

Events and lineups

Goals : 31' Sonck 0-1, 74' Emre 1-1 (pen.)

Turkey : Volkan, Servet, Zan, Gönül, Birinci, Topal (69' Mevlut), Emre, Kazim (46' Topuz), Tuncay (13' Halil Altintop), Arda, Sentürk

Belgium : Stijnen, Swerts, Kompany, Simons, Vermaelen, Defour (46' Mudingayi), Vertonghen, Fellaini, Witsel (76' Daems), Dembélé, Sonck (85' De Sutter)

Yellow cards : Topal, Sentürk (T.), Stijnen, Swerts, Vermaelen, Mudingayi (B.)

Referee : Lannoy (Fra.)

Belgium - Estonia (WC 2010 qualification match) on 06.09.2008

Result : 3-2

Belgium got off to a winning start in Group 5 though they were pushed to the limit by a battling Estonia at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Liege.

Belgian initiative
Estonia created the first opening after three minutes, but Tarmo Kink shot over, and after that Belgium took the initiative. Wesley Sonck and Steven Defour both had chances saved by Estonia goalkeeper Pavel Londak before the home side took the lead six minutes before the interval.

Sonck opener
Axel Witsel, starting in place of the injured Moussa Dembélé, broke forward down the left and crossed for the unmarked Sonck to score from close range. Estonia hit back and drew level on 57 minutes when Ragnar Klavan’s long-range shot fell to the feet of 19-year-old Sergei Zenjov who knocked the ball beyond Stijn Stijnen to pull the visiting side level at 1-1.

Wesley Sonck's joy after his goal

Late goals
Joel Lindpere had an excellent chance to give Estonia the lead but came up short when in alone on Stijnen, and Belgium made him pay soon after. Marouane Fellaini sent Defour clear on goal on 75 minutes and his former R. Standard de Liège team-mate held his nerve at his club home to fire Belgium back in front. Sonck added a third with a header off Tom De Sutter's cross ten minutes from time and the goal proved crucial as Andres Oper struck for Estonia in added time.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Kompany, Van Buyten, Simons, Vermaelen (70' Van Damme), Defour, Fellaini, Vertonghen, Witsel, Sonck (92' Huysegems), Mirallas (76' De Sutter)

Estonia : Londak, Jääger, Bärengrub, Piiroja (44' Stepanov), Kruglov, Lindpere, Kink (78' Puri), Dmitrijev, Klavan, Oper, Zenjov (60' Vunk)

Goals : 39' Sonck 1-0, 57' Zenjov 1-1, 75' Defour 2-1, 80' Sonck 3-1, 92' Oper 3-2

Yellow card : Puri (E.)

Referee  : Dean (Eng.)

Events and lineups

Germany : Enke, Fritz, Tasci, Westermann, Lahm (81' Jansen), Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Hitzlsperger (70' Marin), Trochowski (79' Helmes), Klose (46' Kuranyi), Podolski (46' Gomez) 

Belgium : Stijnen, Swerts (87' Hoefkens), Van Buyten, Simons, Daems, Witsel (65' Gillet), Mudingayi (87' De Man), Defour (59' Buffel), Goor, Sonck, De Sutter (46' Van Damme)

Goals : 58' Schweinsteiger 1-0 (pen.), 77' Marin 2-0

Yellow cards : Van Buyten (58'), Van Damme (64') 

Referee : Thomas Vejlgaard (Den.)

Audience: 34.117


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Italia - Belgium (friendly game) on 30.05.2008

Result : 3-1

Antonio Di Natale scored two goals in the first half and Mauro Camoranesi added another in the second as Italy defeated Belgium in Florence in their last friendly game ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Comfortable win
Di Natale opened the scoring before the ten-minute mark and made it two just before the break. He was then replaced but Camoranesi did not take long to make it three. Second-half substitute Wesley Sonck headed in a corner to grab a consolation but the world champions are looking in good shape for their 9 June Group C opener against Belgium's neighbours, the Netherlands.

Di Natale opener
After a minute's silence to mourn former Belgium striker François Sterchele, who died in a car accident earlier this month, Italy started well and carved out the first opening. Christian Panucci headed just wide following a centre from the right by Camoranesi, but a minute later the Azzurri were back for more. This time, Andrea Pirlo dribbled past Sébastien Pocognoli with a series of tricks before crossing to the far post for Di Natale, whose perfect right-footed volley gave Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen no chance.

Advantage doubled
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was fielding a 4-3-3 formation with Luca Toni, Di Natale and Camoranesi in attack, while Alberto Aquilani was the surprise inclusion in midfield alongside Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso. Together, they continued to control the game without much fuss and four minutes from the break they made it two, as Belgium lost possession and Aquilani immediately found Di Natale on the box. The Udinese Calcio man drilled in his second with a precise low shot.

Half-time changes
During half-time, Donadoni replaced Di Natale with Serie A top-scorer Alessandro Del Piero, while also sending Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Grosso on for Panucci and Fabio Cannavaro. That meant the captain's armband went to Gianluigi Buffon, but the Italy goalkeeper remained very much a spectator as his team went three up four minutes after the restart. Del Piero served his Juventus team-mate Camoranesi with a fine pass on the right and the winger sent his effort between Stijnen's legs and into the bottom of the net.

Sonck consolation
Donadoni also gave Antonio Cassano and Marco Borriello some playing time, with the latter missing a glorious opportunity to make it four when presented with an open goal by Gianluca Zambrotta's pass from the right channel. There was still time for another goal, but it came at the other end from Sonck.

Events and lineups

Italia : Buffon ; Panucci (46' Grosso), Cannavaro (46' Chiellini), Barzagli, Zambrotta ; Gattuso, Pirlo, Aquilani (75' Ambrosini) ; Di Natale (46' Del Piero), Camoranesi (61' Cassano), Toni (75' Borriello)

Belgium : Stijnen ; Hoefkens (46' Swerts), Kompany, Vertonghen, Pocognoli ; Simons, Mudingayi (85' Huysegems), Fellaini, Witsel (70' Gillet), Defour (57' Mirallas) ; Dembélé (57' Sonck)

Goals : 9' Di Natale 1-0, 41' Di Natale 2-0, 49' Camoranesi 3-0, 90+2' Sonck 3-1

Yellow card : Swerts (72')

Referee : Martin Atkinson (Eng)

Audience : 12.500

Belgium - Morocco (friendly game) on 26.03.2008

Result : 1-4

Witsel's goal

Belgium : Stijnen; Gillet (46' Swerts), Van Buyten (46' Fellaini), Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Mudingayi, Kompany (85' Geraerts), Simons; De Smet (46' Witsel), Mirallas (63' Sonck), Dembélé (81' Pieroni)

Morocco : Lamyaghri, Basser, Erbate, Aini, El Kadouri, Safri (61' Hermach), Kharja, Hadji, Alloudi (89' Aboucherouane), Sektioui (39' Boussoufa), Chamakh (89' Benjelloun)

Referee : M. Nijhuis (Nederland)

Yellow cards : Erbate, Vermaelen, Simons


Goals : 14' Alloudi 0-1, 35' Sektioui 0-2, 50' Witsel 1-2, 87' El Zhar 1-3, 90' Benjelloun 1-4



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Standard - Belgium (training match) on 06.02.2008

Result : 0-2

Luigi Pieroni

Events and lineups
 
Standard : De Vriendt, Marcos (46' Dachelet), Phibel, Sarr (31' Dante, 80' Kocabas), PJ Monteyne (46' Dembéle), Goreux, (86' Servais), Fred, Junior (46' Nollevaux, 90' Yagan), Toama (70' Papassarantis), Kabamba (46' Diop), De Camargo (46' Villano, 90' Marloye)
 
Belgium : Vandenbussche (46' Ma-Kalambay), Gillet, Van Buyten, Kompany (46' Vermaelen), Lombaerts (46' Vertonghen), Buffel (83' Haroun), Simons (46' Geraerts), Fellaini (83' De Smet), Van Damme, Pieroni, Sterchele (46' Swerts)
 
Goals : 6' Fellaini 0-1, 80' Buffel 0-2

Azerbaijan - Belgium (EC 2008 qualification match) on 21.11.2007

Result : 0-1

Luigi Pieroni scored the only goal in Baku to seal Belgium's fifth win of a disappointing UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign.

Azerbaijan bottom
The visiting side enjoyed the better of the play at the Tofikh Bakhramov-Republic Stadium and Pieroni got their reward on 53 minutes. René Vandereycken's team finish fifth in Group A, with Azerbaijan bottom on five points from their 12 games.

Belgium press
Belgium began positively and midfielder Gill Swerts came close on 17 minutes, Azerbaijan goalkeeper Farkhad Veliyev doing well to keep out his 20-metre drive. Veliyev saved again five minutes later, catching Daniel Van Buyten's header following Swerts's dangerous set-piece. Azerbaijan were largely restricted to shots from distance with forward Zaur Ramazanov going closest with a strike that flashed narrowly wide on 37 minutes.

Pieroni goal
Belgium broke the deadlock after the interval when Pieroni pounced with an opportunist goal. Azerbaijan defender Rail Melikov blocked a header but Pieroni seized on the rebound and turned the ball into the bottom left corner. The 27-year-old missed an opening to double the advantage in the 65th minute when he screwed a close-range attempt wide after finding space in the box.

Late misses
Belgium controlled possession as the game wore on and it was not until the 85th minute that Azerbaijan finally worked a meaningful opportunity. Substitute Leandro Gomes got himself into a good position on the edge of the area yet shot wide. When, in added time, Branimir Subašić blazed over from a matter of metres, Azerbaijan's final chance had gone.

Events and lineups

Azerbaijan : Veliyev, Melikov, Abbasov, Sadygov, Guliyev, Tagizade (70' Gomes), Kerimov (84' Mamedov), Gurbanov, Maharramov (77' Ponomarev), Ramazanov, Subasic

Belgium : Vandenbussche, Gillet, Van Buyten, Van Damme, Vertonghen, Swerts, Geraerts (46' Defour), Fellaini, Grégoire (68' Goor), Dembélé, Pieroni (81' Mirallas)

Goal : 52' Pieroni 0-1

Yellow cards : Tagizade (27'), Geraerts (35'), Pieroni (41'), Fellaini (81')

Poland will line up alongside Europe's élite for the first time in Austria and Switzerland next summer after goals from Euzebiusz Smolarek either side of half-time against Belgium secured a 2-0 victory and safe passage to UEFA EURO 2008™ from Group A.

Lucky breaks
Smolarek took advantage of two lucky breaks to score twice in five minutes and send the home side through. The 26-year-old netted his first on 45 minutes, showing real pace to race on to a loose ball, evade goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen and slide the ball into the empty net. The forward was again in the right place at the right time four minutes after the restart, chipping the ball cheekily over Stijnen.

Boruc save
After a cagey opening, the first slice of drama came from a set-piece, Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc tipping Jan Vertonghen's free-kick over the bar. However, the match was effectively over following Smolarek's quick-fire double and Belgium offered little threat of a fightback thereafter. Daniel Van Buyten's audacious volley, which sailed harmlessly wide, was about the best they could manage and Poland nearly added a third ten minutes from time when the inspirational Jacek Krzynówek's cut-back was cleared by some last-ditch defending.

Events and lineups

Poland : Boruc, Bronowicki, Bak, Smolarek (85' Kosowski), Krzynowek, Zurawski (82' Murawski), Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Lobodzinski (46' Blaszczykowski), Sobolewski, Lewandowski

Belgium : Stijnen, Gillet, Van Buyten, Haroun (84' Geraerts), Goor, Mirallas (76' Huysegems), Vertonghen, Fellaini, Dembélé, Defour (61' Pieroni), Kompany

Goals : 45' Smolarek 1-0, 49' Smolarek 2-0

Yellow cards : Bak (33'), Blaszczykowski (90+1')


PCO/Comm.

Belgium - Armenia (EC 2008 qualification match) on 17.10.2007

Result : 3-0

Three second-half goals earned Belgium victory against Armenia, but their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification hopes were ended by results elsewhere in Group A.

Triple strike
Substitute Wesley Sonck put Belgium ahead on 63 minutes before Moussa Dembélé doubled the advantage six minutes later. Karel Geraerts added a third on 76 minutes to secure Belgium's fourth win in qualifying but they are now unable to overhaul second-placed Portugal after their 2-1 success in Kazakhstan.

Armenia bright
Armenia had started promisingly, with Artavazd Karamyan drawing a save from Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen from the edge of the area. Belgium too had chances and Gevorg Kasparov spread himself to stop Kevin Mirallas's effort when the 20-year-old striker was played through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Artur Voskanyan was next to test Stijnen, who turned the ball behind for a corner.

Inspired substitution
Belgium coach René Vandereycken replaced Mirallas with Sonck at the interval as he looked for more from his side, but it was Armenia that pressed. Samvel Melkonyan and Levon Pachajyan each came close before Melkonyan cut in from the left and shot into the side-netting. The breakthrough, though, went to Belgium on 63 minutes. Nicolas Lombaerts's left-wing cross found Bart Goor who hit the crossbar on the volley. The ball looped into the air and Sonck beat Kasparov to the rebound to nod in.

Further goals
Belgium were soon 2-0 up after Dembélé burst into the penalty box before firing into the top corner. The third goal followed 14 minutes from time when another Lombaerts centre reached Geraerts on the penalty spot and he headed the ball down and beyond Kasparov to ensure a comfortable finish for the hosts.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Lombaerts (83' Vertonghen), Simons, Van Buyten (60' Kompany), Goor, Mirallas (46' Sonck), Swerts, Fellaini, Dembélé, Geraerts, Defour

Armenia : Kasparov, Dokhoyan, Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Khachatryan (57' Hakobyan), Arakelyan, Voskanyan, Karamyan, Melkonyan (70' Zebelyan), Pachajyan, Tadevosyan (82' Mkrtchyan)

Goals : 63' Sonck 1-0, 69' Dembélé 2-0, 76' Geraerts 3-0

Yellow card : Swerts (2')

Belgium - Finland (EC 2008 qualification match) on 13.10.2007

Result : 0-0

Finland's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying hopes were dealt a blow after they played out a dour goalless draw in Belgium.

Lost ground
With Portugal prevailing in Azerbaijan and Poland beating Kazakhstan, Finland needed a win to keep pace in Group A but were constantly thwarted by a resolute Belgium. Roy Hodgson's men had a first-half goal ruled out for offside yet squandered numerous other opportunities to seal victory and now trail leaders Poland by four points. They are level on 20 points with second-placed Portugal, having played a game more.

Near misses
Finland were the better side in the first half and Alexei Eremenko Jr almost fired them into an early lead when he tested Stijn Stijnen with a stinging 20-metre strike. At the other end Vincent Kompany went close with a low free-kick that skidded narrowly wide. The Finns were creating chances down both flanks, with Joonas Kolkka supplying some teasing crosses, but the vital touch proved elusive. Although Jonatan Johansson had the ball in the net shortly before half-time, he was adjudged offside from Daniel Sjölund's pass across goal.

Better from Belgium
The hosts in Brussels were brighter after the break and Moussa Dembélé capitalised on some sloppy defending to race through one-on-one with Jussi Jääskeläinen, but the Bolton Wanderers FC goalkeeper was out quickly to parry the ball to safety. Finland responded with a flowing move through Belgium's back line only for Kolkka to rifle a shot into the side-netting.

Moussa Dembélé

Point apiece
When the Scandinavian team were awarded a free-kick inside Belgium's area after Stijnen had handled a back-pass, they failed to make it count as another opportunity went begging. Desperately seeking the winner, Sjölund then broke clear of the defence yet his shot hit the foot of Stijnen and rebounded to safety as the match ended goalless.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Lombaerts, Van Buyten, Kompany, Gillet, Simons, Mudingayi, Haroun (67' Goor), Grégoire (67' Sonck), Mirallas (84' Sterchele), Dembélé

Finland : Jääskeläinen, Hyypiä, Pasanen, Tihinen, Kallio, Eremenko Jr, Eremenko, Riihilahti, Johansson (90' Kuqi), Kolkka, Sjölund (90+2' Nurmela)

Yellow cards : Eremenko Jr (43'), Mirallas (73')

Belgium - Serbia (EC 2008 qualification match) on 22.08.2007

Result : 3-2

Belgium kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™ from Group A by denting Serbia's own aspirations in Brussels.

Dembélé double
Goals from Moussa Dembélé and debutant Kevin Mirallas, a star of the summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, inside the opening half-hour gave the hosts a two-goal lead but Zdravko Kuzmanović's 73rd-minute strike halved the deficit. Dembélé restored the cushion with two minutes remaining before Kuzmanović set up a thrilling finish.

Moussa Dembélé

Early opener
Serbia started the brighter with Boško Janković, another to shine at the U21 finals, firing wide and Kuzmanović forcing a save from Stijn Stijnen before Belgium opened the scoring in the tenth minute. Steven Defour sent in a cross from the right and Dembélé slotted the ball in from 12 metres for his second international goal.

Deserved second
Dembélé came close to doubling his tally four minutes later but his shot was saved by Vladimir Stojković before Thomas Vermaelen fired over the bar. In the 30th minute, Belgium got a deserved second goal as teenager Mirallas made it a debut to remember with a solo effort, beating Stojković with a shot into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Serbia reply
Miloš Krasić entered the fray early in the second half and his shot on the hour mark was blocked by Vermaelen. Belgium coach René Vandereycken replaced Mirallas with defender Anthony Vanden Borre soon after in an attempt to hold on to the lead, but Serbia pulled a goal back 17 minutes from time when Kuzmanović converted Ivica Dragutinović's cross from close range.

Tense finish
Dembélé's second goal, which beat Stojković at his near post from close range, looked to have put the game to rest but Kuzmanović's second in added time from 12 metres made it a tense final few minutes. Serbia have fallen three points behind second-placed Finland, who trail leaders Poland by two points, while Belgium are four points further back of the second qualifying position.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Simons, Hoefkens, Vermaelen, Kompany, Mudingayi, Goor, Geraerts, Mirallas (67' Vanden Borre), Dembélé (90' Lombaerts), Defour (86' M. Mpenza)

Serbia : Stojkovic, Rukavina, Vidic, Krstajic, Dragutinovic, Kovacevic, Kuzmanovic, Jankovic, Koroman (56' Krasic), Lazovic (70' Smiljanic), Pantelic (56' Jovanovic)

Goals : 10' Dembélé 1-0, 30' Mirallas 2-0, 73' Kuzmanovic 2-1, 88' Dembélé 3-1, 90 + 1' Kuzmanovic 3-2

Yellow cards : Goor (32'), Krstajic (78'), Vidic (90 + 4')

Finland - Belgium (EC 2008 qualification match) on 06.06.2007

Result : 2-0

Finland got their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying bid back on track with a win that all but ended Belgium's slim hopes of reaching the finals from Group A.

Well placed
Goals from Jonatan Johansson and Alexei Eremenko Jr ensured Finland bounced back from Saturday's home defeat by Serbia in style against opponents forced to play most of the second half with ten men after Marouane Fellaini's dismissal. Roy Hodgson's team are now level on points with second-placed Serbia and Portugal; Belgium are seven adrift of that trio with six games remaining.

Advantage Finland
Belgium, beaten 2-1 at home by Portugal at the weekend, created the first opening in the second minute, Emile Mpenza putting a header wide, yet this proved one of few chances in a half in which they mainly had to defend. Markus Heikkinen gave Stijn Stijnen early work with a long-range strike, while Joonas Kolkka and Eremenko fired into the crowd from distance. Kolkka then delivered a perfect centre on 27 minutes which was well met in the centre of the area by Johansson to put Finland ahead. Although Tom De Mul and Steven Defour combined to carve out an opportunity for Belgium, this was nodded over by Defour.

Doubling up
Seven minutes into the second period, Fellaini fouled Hannu Tihinen and earned his second yellow card to leave his side with an uphill struggle. And it proved too steep a task with the hosts doubling their advantage in the 71st minute. Johansson was the provider as his cross from the left picked out midfielder Eremenko on the right of the penalty box and he made no mistake with a finish from ten metres. Finland next take on Kazakhstan on 22 August when Belgium welcome Serbia.

Events and lineups

Finland : Jääskeläinen, Kallio, Pasanen, Nyman, Tihinen, Kolkka, Heikkinen, Eremenko, Väyrynen, Eremenko Jr (89' Forssell), Johansson

Belgique : Stijnen, Vermaelen (45+2' Martens), Simons, Clement, De Man, Van Damme, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Defour, De Mul (55' Haroun), E. Mpenza (86' Sterchele)

Buts : 27' Johansson 1-0, 71' Eremenko Jr 2-0

Cartes jaunes : Fellaini (15'), Väyrynen (37'), Van Damme (85')

Carte rouge : Fellaini (52')

Belgium - Portugal (EC 2008 qualification match) on 02.06.2007

Result : 1-2

Hélder Postiga scored a sumptuous long-range winner as Portugal kept the pressure on Group A leaders Poland with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Belgium in Brussels.

Above : Stijn Stijnen, Marouane Fellaini, Timmy Simons, Philippe Clement, Jan Vertonghen
Below : Emile Mpenza, François Sterchele, Carl Hoefkens, Thomas Vermaelen, Steven Defour, Gaby Mudingayi

Lively wingers
Frustrated for much of the encounter, the FC Porto striker produced a memorable swerving effort past the excellent Stijn Stijnen to set the visitors on course for a victory that seemed inevitable for much of the first half. With Cristiano Ronaldo absent, the Belgian defenders may have imagined an easier night to that which ended in a 4-0 defeat when the sides met in March, but Nani and Deco soon banished such thoughts as Luiz Felipe Scolari's team enjoyed an impressive start.

Stijnen busied
Deco soon forced Stijnen into action with a near-post strike, though the goalkeeper should not have been given a chance on eleven minutes when Nani's beautifully-weighted cross found Hélder Postiga in space. Yet with the goal at his mercy, the forward headed straight at Stijnen and Nani began to take matters into his own hands. He twice rifled efforts just wide before finally hitting his second international goal two minutes before half-time, weaving into the penalty area and unleashing a low drive to which Stijnen got the faintest of touches as it went in off the upright.

Late red card
It looked to have provided a platform from which Portugal could build but Belgium had other ideas. Only the excellent reactions of Ricardo denied François Sterchele immediately after the restart and it set the tone for a vibrant spell for the home team, who equalised on 55 minutes when Steven Defour's cross was headed in by Marouane Fellaini. It was the youngster's first international goal but Hélder Postiga's solo effort ensured the points went to Portugal, though Hugo Almeida's late dismissal took away some of the gloss.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Hoefkens (45+2' De Man), Clement, Simons, Vermaelen, Defour, Mudingayi (76' Geraerts), Fellaini, Vertonghen, Sterchele (61' De Mul), E. Mpenza

Portugal : Ricardo, Miguel (53' Bosingwa), Meira, Andrade, Ferreira, Deco, Petit, Tiago, Quaresma, Postiga (79' Almeida), Nani (86' Duda)

Goals : 43' Nani 0-1, 55' Fellaini 1-1, 64' Helder Postiga 1-2

yellow cards : Postiga (52'), Defour (63'), Quaresma (76'), Petit (78')

Red card : Almeida (90+4')

Audience : 42.000


PCO/Comm.

Portugal - Belgium (EC 2008 qualification match) on 24.03.2007

Result : 4-0

Portugal maintained their 100 per cent home record in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying with a hugely convincing 4-0 victory over Belgium at Lisbon's José Alvalade stadium.

Second-half blitz
After a first half where they failed to translate their vast superiority into goals, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side made amends as second-half strikes from Nuno Gomes, Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Ricardo Quaresma secured a third straight home success in Group A. Now up to third in the section, they will hope to climb even higher when they visit Serbia on Wednesday.

Portugal possession
From the fourth minute, when the skilful Quaresma swerved an effort wide, it seemed a matter of when, rather than if, Portugal would make the breakthrough. The same player then shot wastefully over after Tiago played him through on 13 minutes, but with Belgium struggling to keep the ball, further chances followed. Ronaldo alone went close three times in a first half when Portugal enjoyed 69 per cent of possession.

Breakthrough
Nuno Gomes squandered a glorious opportunity to open the second period with a goal, placing a left-foot volley wide after Tiago's lofted ball had found him unmarked. The striker made no mistake on 53 minutes, though, when he tapped in after fine work by Ronaldo and João Moutinho, and three minutes later it was 2-0 as Ronaldo headed in at the far post from Quaresma's superb chip. If Belgium retained any faint hopes, these vanished altogether when debutant Thomas Chatelle missed an open goal with his first touch.

Quaresma cracker
Quaresma registered the goal of the night in the 69th minute with a superb first international strike, bending the ball over Stijn Stijnen and into the far corner with the outside of his right boot. The Belgium keeper then denied Tiago and Nani, yet was beaten a final time on 75 minutes when Ronaldo shimmied inside his marker and directed a low effort into the net from the edge of the box. On this evidence Portugal can travel to Serbia full of confidence; Belgium, on the contrary, have plenty to do before their next qualifier – at home to the Portuguese on 2 June.

Events and lineups

Portugal : Ricardo, Miguel, Carvalho, Andrade, Ferreira, Tiago, Petit (76' Meira), Moutinho, Ronaldo (78' Viana), Nuno Gomes, Quaresma (70' Nani)

Belgium : Stijnen, Hoefkens (64' Sterchele), Van Buyten, Clement, Van Der Heyden, Defour, Mudingayi, De Man, Fellaini, Martens (56' Chatelle), M. Mpenza (81' Van Damme)

Goals : 53' Nuno Gomes 1-0, 55' Ronaldo 2-0, 68' Quaresma 3-0, 75' Ronaldo 4-0

Yellow cards : Hoefkens (15'), De Man (37'), Ronaldo (45'), Fellaini (59'), Van Damme (88')

Belgium - Czech Republic (friendly match) on 07.02.2007

Result : 0-2

Jan Koller returned to his former stamping ground in Brussels to inspire the Czech Republic to victory against struggling Belgium.

Early goal
The giant AS Monaco FC forward scored 42 goals in 64 Belgian league matches between 1999 and 2001 for RSC Anderlecht, and took just six minutes tonight to make his mark by heading in a Marek Jankulovski cross. It was exactly the start the Belgium coach René Vandereycken had hoped to avoid, having made six changes from the team that lost their last UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier to Poland on 15 November.

Simons dropped
The most drastic of those saw captain Timmy Simons dropped to the bench, while Marouane Fellaini of R. Standard de Liège and fellow midfielder Maarten Martens of AZ Alkmaar made debuts. The Red Devils had a chance to draw level soon after as Luigi Pieroni charged in on the Czech Republic goal, where Petr Čech, wearing now-familiar head protection, came out smartly to deny the forward. The Chelsea FC player's opposite number Stijn Stijnen was also alert in the 35th minute when palming away another Koller header.

Vanden Borre dismissed
With both coaches making numerous substitutions, the tempo dropped in the second half. Yet Koller remained the most dangerous player on the pitch, fizzing a header just wide of the post on the hour before setting up substitute Marek Kulič for the second in the 74th minute. Belgium's miserable night was completed moments later when Anderlecht defender Anthony Vanden Borre was sent off for pulling back the goal-bound Kulič.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen (70' Vandenbussche), Hoefkens (46' Vanden Borre), Van Buyten, Vermaelen (35' Simons), Van Der Heyden (46' Van Damme), Defour, Mudingayi, Fellaini, Daerden, Martens (75' Vandenbergh), Pieroni (63' Dembélé)

Goals : 7' Koller 0-1, 75' Kulic 0-2

Belgium - Poland (EC 2008 qualification match) on 15.11.2006

Result : 0-1

Poland moved into third place in Group A after securing a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels. Striker Radoslaw Matusiak scored the winner in the first period as the Poles recorded a third success in five UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers to climb within a point of leaders Finland.

Stijnen beaten
Belgium coach René Vandereycken took the bold step of fielding goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen, who had broken a finger playing for Club Brugge KV at the weekend, but within 19 minutes Stijnen was picking the ball out of his net. Matusiak, who plays his club football for GKS Bełchatów, scored on his international debut against Serbia last month and here recorded his second goal in four appearances with a neat finish into the bottom corner from ten metres.

Few scoring opportunities
Defender Thomas Vermaelen shot straight at Poland keeper Artur Boruc from 20 metres shortly afterwards but in a game of few opportunities, that was about as close as Belgium came to an equaliser in the first half. At the other end Euzebiusz Smolarek fired wide from the edge of the box on 36 minutes and the same player almost doubled the Polish advantage in the closing stages only for Timmy Simons to block his goalbound effort.

Boruc denies Mpenza
Aiming to avert a second defeat in Group A, Daniel Van Buyten shot wide from just outside the Poland area and Boruc then denied Emile Mpenza a stoppage-time equaliser by keeping out the Belgium striker's attempt. While the hosts were booed off, there was plenty to smile about for Poland coach Leo Beenhakker who saw his charges build on an impressive victory over Portugal last month.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Stijnen, Vermaelen, Simons, Van Buyten, Hoefkens, Léonard (80' Mudingayi), Vanden Borre (45' Huysegems), Goor, Geraerts, Mpenza, Vandenbergh (62' Pieroni)

Poland : Boruc, Dudka (79' Murawski), Bronowicki, Wasilewski, Bak, Zewlakow, Sobolewski, Blaszczykowski, Smolarek, Zurawski (62' Gargula), Matusiak (89' Kazmierczak)

Goal : 19' Matusiak 0-1

Yellow cards : Gerarets (12'), Vermaelen (25'), Sobolewski (26'), Léonard (57'), Blaszczykowski (58'), Simons (88'), Goor (88')