Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Belgium claim Euro 2016 spot by trashing Andorra 4-1

The Belgians can guarantee finishing first with a home win over Israel on Tuesday, with previous leaders Wales having been beaten 2-0 in Bosnia but qualifying after the Israelis lost.

Belgium claim Euro 2016 spot by trashing Andorra 4-1
(Reuters)

"First of all I'm happy nobody's injured," Belgium manager Marc Wilmots told state broadcaster RTBF.

"Obviously, it's been some 33 years that we last qualified for two big tournaments in a row so we're quite happy, and I guess Belgium as well as the tournament's next door in France."

The Belgians were in control from the start with Radja Nainggolan opening the scoring in the 19th minute. Kevin De Bruyne made it 2-0 with a 20-metre free kick before the break.

The hosts clawed back a rare goal in the 51st minute when Ildefons Lima converted a penalty conceded by defender Jan Vertonghen who had lost Andorra's Victor Moreira and could only stop him with an inclement nudge.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Belgium wrapped up the points and a place in France with a spot kick from Eden Hazard before Depoitre scored his first international goal.

Hazard could have made it 5-1 in the 78th with another penalty but this time Andorra's Ferran Pol made the save.

"We played a very complete and correct match, we circulated the ball around well against an adversary who defended with great rigour," added Wilmots.

"We remained patient and marked them at the right moment, created quite a few chances.

Belgium, quarter-finalists at the 2014 World Cup, will play at the European Championship for the first time since 2000 when they hosted the tournament with the Netherlands.

The last time Belgium qualified for the finals was in 1984.

(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels; Editing by Ken Ferris)


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world