Brussels attacks: Belgium players pay tribute to victims

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Belgium players wore messages on their shirtsImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Belgium players, including Tottenham's Mousa Dembele (background), wore messages on their shirts as they warmed up before their game with Portugal

Belgium's football team held a minute's silence before their friendly with Portugal, external in Leiria, in tribute to the victims of terror attacks in Brussels.

The friendly was moved, external from the King Baudouin Stadium in Belgium's capital after 35 people were killed and many others injured in last week's attacks.

It is the second successive Belgium friendly affected by terror attacks.

In November, their match against Spain in Brussels was called off following the Paris atrocities.

Tuesday's game was originally cancelled, but Portugal coach Fernando Santos said continuing with the game shows "football is not afraid".

Meanwhile in France, it was the home side's first appearance, external at the Stade de France since their national stadium was one of several targets in last year's attacks, which killed 130 people.

"You don't forget, but you have to move forward," said France coach Didier Deschamps.

France were playing a friendly with Germany in November when a bomb exploded outside the ground.

This week's round of international friendlies are warm-up games before Euro 2016 in France, which starts on 10 June.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

France players during a minute's silence before their 4-2 win over Russia

Image source, Rex Features
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The Belgian flag is displayed before England's 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands at Wembley

Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Russia players pay their respects to the victims of last week's Brussels attacks

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

The Belgium team hold a minute's silence before their 2-1 defeat by Portugal

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