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Reuters
Reuters
Sport
Philip Blenkinsop and Robert-Jan Bartunek

Belgium suffer Kompany blow in draw with Portugal

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Portugal's Beto in action with Belgium's Jan Vertonghen REUTERS/Eric Vidal

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Defender Vincent Kompany will require a scan to determine if he can play in the World Cup in Russia after injuring his groin during Belgium's goalless draw with Portugal in a friendly on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Kompany, a key part of Belgium's defence, abruptly left the pitch in the 55th minute of the match after appearing to hurt himself when lunging for the ball.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Portugal's Gelson Martins in action with Belgium's Vincent Kompany REUTERS/Eric Vidal

"You could feel that when he came off we were all very much worried," coach Roberto Martinez told a news conference, adding that it would probably take 48 hours to determine how serious the injury was.

"He said he felt discomfort in his groin when he walked off the pitch. He's not a young player, he knows his body. At that point it was the right time to come off," Martinez added.

The injury was the key talking point after Belgium's 0-0 draw with Portugal as both sides showed attacking intent but no killer blow less than two weeks before the World Cup begins.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action REUTERS/Eric Vidal

Both Belgium and the European champions had promising phases, with Portugal's Bernardo Silva in particular creating chances at the end of the first half.

Belgium's best chance fell to defender Jan Vertonghen, earning his 100th cap, as he forced goalkeeper Beto into an acrobatic save midway through the second period.

Belgium began with their strongest possible 11, apart from the injured Axel Witsel and Thomas Vermaelen, and a trial three-man defence.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Portugal's Andre Silva in action with Belgium's Dedryck Boyata REUTERS/Eric Vidal

Portugal coach Fernando Santos made six changes from the team that started Monday's 2-2 draw with Tunisia and were again without Cristiano Ronaldo, still resting after last weekend's Champions League final. Striker Andre Silva started on the bench, giving 21-year-old Goncalo Guedes the chance to shine in attack.

Santos expressed satisfaction after the match, saying his team had done well to keep a clean sheet against a team that set a joint record of goals in qualifying for the World Cup.

The hosts made five second-half changes to try out some of their fringe players before Martinez cuts his 28-man squad to 23 on Monday.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois sustains an injury whilst in action with Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma REUTERS/Eric Vidal

"I cannot be fully satisfied because of Vincent Kompany's injury but apart from that it was the test we needed," he said, adding that Vermaelen at least appeared to be returning to fitness.

Portugal host Algeria on June 7 before their World Cup opener on June 15 against Spain in a group also featuring Morocco and Iran.

Belgium will play further friendlies against Egypt on June 6 and Costa Rica on June 11. They open their World Cup campaign on June 18 against Panama, before also facing England and Tunisia in Group G.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Belgium's Romelu Lukaku in action with Portugal's Pepe REUTERS/Eric Vidal

(Editing by Christian Radnedge and Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Portugal's Gelson Martins in action REUTERS/Eric Vidal
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action with Portugal's Cedric Soares and Pepe REUTERS/Eric Vidal
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium vs Portugal - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - June 2, 2018 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois receives medical attention after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Eric Vidal
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