BELGIAN police detained 123 football supporters before the World Cup clash between Belgium and The Netherlands which the Dutch side won 3-0.
"Of the 123, 92 are from The Netherlands. The rest are Belgian, said police spokesman Michael Jonniaux. Most of those detained before the game were released at 8 p.m. and escorted to the Dutch border. Virtually all the arrests were made before the match. There were no incidents in the stadium during the game.
Belgian police deployed more than 1,500 officers, 150 mounted policemen, water cannon and 20 dog teams throughout Brussels for the match. The match was played at the Heysel stadium where 39 fans died after Liverpool supporters rioted at the European Cup final against Juventus in 1985.
Portugal, the only side to beat Germany in a World Cup qualifier, nearly did it again on Saturday but had to settle for a spirited 0-0 draw.
The Portuguese, who played at the start as if believing history never repeated itself, grew in confidence in the second half and were only denied by a fine piece of goalkeeping by Andreas Koepke. Benfica striker Joao Vieira Pinto dribbled brilliantly across the face of the area leaving a trail of German defenders in his wake before cutting into the box but Koepke managed to deflect his shot round the post.
The Germans, the reigning European champions, dominated the early exchanges but had few clear opportunities to score. Portugal are now top of European qualifying Group Nine with eight points from five games, with Germany in third on five points a point behind Ukraine in second.
Northern Ireland are in the same group on five points.
The Germans could probably feel aggrieved that Hungarian referee Sandor Puhl did not award them a penalty when defender Carlos Secretario appeared to bring down Fredi Bobic in the box.
Portugal stepped up the pace after the break and Fiorentina midfielder Rui Costa had a chance to open the scoring in the 48th minute but his shot lacked power.
Germany came to Portugal without three of their first team regulars due to injury and were probably relieved to come away with a point at the end. "I am happy with the result," said German coach Berti Vogts.
Meanwhile Barcelona mid-fielder Josep Guardiola led Spain to an impressive 2-0 victory over Yugoslavia in a Group Six World Cup qualifier at the weekend. Guardiola scored the first from a penalty and set up teenager Raul Gonzalez for the second. Spain have now closed the gap on Yugoslavia at the top of the group to two points.
Guardiola had only come into the game as a replacement for Real Madrid's Fernando Hierro.
The Yugoslav goalkeeper was at one stage hit by objects thrown from the stands and a linesman was also pelted with missiles after making a decision that angered fans.
