World Cup qualifying: Brazil v Argentina halted due to covid controversy - plus Belgium, Germany, Italy & Spain

1. Brazil host Argentina in World Cup qualifier - game halted due to covid controversy
2. Germany 6-0 Armenia, Belgium 3-0 Czech Republic - Lukaku scores on 100th cap
3. Spain 4-0 Georgia, Switzerland 0-0 Italy (all games 19:45 BST)
4. Three other European World Cup qualifiers taking place

Conmebol go on to say, via online translation: "The referee and the match commissioner will submit a report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which will determine the steps to be followed. These procedures strictly adhere to current regulations."

A tweet from South American football's governing body Conmebol confirms the game is suspended. Unclear if they mean it is abandoned for today or just halted until we get a resolution.

MISSED PENALTY

Italy have a penalty, Jorginho steps up and... SAVED.

Well, the Brazil players have moved over to the centre circle and some cones have been laid out, good news for the game going ahead? Or is this just going to turn into a training session instead.

Is the comeback on? Probably not, but Nicola Nanni has pulled one back

GOAL - Germany 5-0 Armenia

Woof. Jonas Hofmann fizzes one into the bottom corner from outside the box. A rout.

In normal circumstances it would be half-time around now. Instead, all the Brazil players are just standing around on the pitch waiting for news. Neymar's done a few skills, Gabriel has decided to have a sit down.

Getty Images

Get Involved

Argentina should forfeit this game. They knew the rules and still picked those players. Same as playing an ineligible player. 3-0 result to Brazil.

Ant, B'ham

Eder Militao is doing kick ups on the pitch as we wait for updates.

Looks like I was optimistic about there being a resolution as players and officials are still deep in conversation.

A reminder of why we are where we are:

• Brazilian health officials objected to the participation of three Argentine players they say broke quarantine rules.
• Argentina walked off the pitch at the Corinthians arena after the officials entered the pitch to stop the game.
• The players went to the dressing room, although the two coaches, along with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazilian players, gathered at the side of the pitch a few moments later to discuss the stoppage
• The incident occurred just hours after Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa said four Argentine players must isolate and could not play in the match.
• The three were among four Argentine players who play in the Premier League.
• Under Brazilian rules visitors who have been in the UK in the 14 days before entering the country must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.

Italy are 45 minutes away from a European record.

They are unbeaten in 35 games, level with Spain's old landmark from February 2007 to June 2009.

A point or more today will make that 36 games without defeat.

They are five days short of three years unbeaten.

HALF-TIME

Half-time across Europe. But not South America...

Robert Lewandowski has an assist to go with his two goals, with Karol Linetty scoring Poland's fourth.

GOAL - Germany 4-0 Armenia

Timo Werner taps in Germany's fourth from a Leon Goretzka knockdown.

Anastasios Douvikas gives Greece the lead in first-half injury time.

GOAL - Belgium 2-0 Czech Republic

Eden Hazard gets his first international goal since November 2019.

He slots home from Hans Vanaken's pass. That's his second assist of the game.

Hmmm, could we have a resolution here?

Lionel Messi and Dani Alves head down the tunnel together after some lengthy discussions between the players and officials.

Getty Images

GOAL - Spain 3-0 Georgia

Not much jeopardy in tonight's World Cup qualifiers really - well in the games where football is actually happening.

Ferran Torres sweeps in Spain's third from a right-wing cross.

Play halted as Argentina players leave pitch

Lionel Messi is back out on the pitch now conversing with officials and with the Brazil players.