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Belgium - Bulgaria (friendly game) on 19.05.2010

Result : 2-1

Events and lineups

Belgium : Gillet, Alderweireld (65' Ciman), Kompany, Lombaerts, Van Damme (65' Deschacht), Defour (84' Mirallas), Buffel, Vertonghen (46' Thijs), Hazard, Lukaku (65' Benteke), Dembélé (46' Lepoint)

Bulgaria : Michailov, Manolev, Ivanov, Milanov, Angelov, Peev (90' Stoyanov), S. Petrov (87' Nikolov), Georgiev, Yankov, Bozhinov (62' Rangelov), Popov (68' Kamburov)

Goals : 31' Popov (0-1), 89' Lepoint (1-1), 91' Kompany (2-1)

Yellow cards : Yankov, Lombaerts, Lepoint, Kamburov

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Events and lineups

Belgium : Bailly, Colpaert, Kompany (70' Lombaerts), Vermaelen (83' Alderweireld), Van Damme, Hazard (75' Blondel), Witsel, Vertonghen, Martens (46' Sonck), Dembélé (70' carcela), Lukaku (75' Buffel)

Croatia : Runje, Corluka, Krizanac (56' Rakitic), Simunic (46' Lovren), Cale, Srna (90' Gabric), Modric (64' Pranjic), Vukojevic (83' Dujmovic), Bilic (64' Mandzukic), Kranjcar, Olic (56' Eduardo)

Goal : 63' Kranjcar 0-1

Yellow cards : 61' Vukojevic, 68' Vertonghen

Referee : G. Rocchi (ITA)


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Events and lineups

Estonia : Pareiko, Rahn, Piiroja (63' Morozov), Kruglov, Dmitrijev, Kink (60' Puri), Lindpere, Vunk, Vassiljev, Jaager, Saag (72' Voskoboinikov)

Belgium : Bailly, Swerts (76' De Sutter), Van Buyten (46' Alderweireld), Lombaerts, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Mirallas, Mudingayi (46' Buffel), Mpenza, Dembélé, Lamah

Goals : 30' Piroja 1-0, 67' Vassiljev 2-0

Yellow cards : 52' Swerts, 79' Vunk
















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De wedstrijdgegevens

Armenia : Kasparov, Goharyan (32' Javrouian), Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Yedigaryan (88' Kakosyan), Arakelyan (14' Mkrtchyan), Mkhitaryan, Karamyan, Mkoyan, Mkrtchyan

Belgium : Gillet, Swerts, Simons, Van Buyten, Deschacht, De Camargo, Defour, Mirallas (71' Hazard), Sonck (80' Lamah), Martens (54' De Sutter), Dembélé

Goals : 23' Goharyan 1-0, 50' Hovsepyan 2-0, 90+2' Van Buyten 2-1

Yellow cards : 9' Mkhitaryan, 53' Sonck, 54' Javrouian, 57' Simons


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Events and lineups

Czech Republic : Cech, Grygera (46' Jankulovski), Sivok, Hubnik (46' Rozenhal), Kadlec, Stajner (88' Simunek), Polak, Jarolim (46' Pospech), Plasil, Sverkos (66' Necid), Baros (46' Pudil)

Belgium : Stijnen, Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Vermaelen (46' Simons), Van Damme (80' Deschacht), Hazard (68' Mirallas), Fellaini (46' Sonck), Vertonghen (87' Alderweireld), Defour, Dembélé (46' Mpenza), De Sutter

Goals  : 11' Vertonghen 0-1, 27' Hubnik 1-1, 42' Baros 2-1 (strafschop), 79' Rozehnal 3-1 

Yellow cards : 42' Vertonghen, 62' Stajner


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Events and lineups

Japan : Narazaki, Nakazawa, Tanaka (73', Yamaguchi), Nagatomo, Uchida, S. Nakamura (46',Honda), Endo (61', Abe), K. Nakamura (66', Koroki), Hasebe (46', Hashimoto), Okubo, Okazaki (69', Yano)

Belgium : Stijnen, Swerts, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, De Laet, Simons, Haroun, Pogognoli (68', Vossen), Martens, Mujangi-Bia (61', Huysegems), Roelandts (81', Dembélé) 

Goals : 21' Nagatomo 1-0, 23' Nakamura 2-0, 60' Okazaki 3-0, 77' Yano 4-0

Yellow cards : Alderweireld (73'), Vermaelen (77')

Referee : R. Styles (Eng)

Audience : 42.520


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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)


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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