From heated clash to equaliser: Trossard’s assist fuels Belgium comeback

In the 89th minute of their World Cup last‑32 match, Youri Tielemans headed Leandro Trossard’s cross into the net to level the score at 2‑2, forcing and keeping Belgium’s hopes alive. The decisive header came after a tense on‑field confrontation between the two Belgium teammates. Earlier in the second half, Belgium trailed by two goals as they headed into the hydration break, with frustrations mounting after a poor first‑half display. During the break, Trossard and Tielemans engaged in an aggressive verbal exchange over a misplaced cross, prompting teammates to intervene and separate the pair. Romelu Lukaku then reduced the deficit, scoring to make it 2‑1 and reigniting Belgium’s belief of a comeback. Lukaku’s strike arrived just before the decisive moments that followed, setting the stage for the late drama.

Belgium's comeback in Seattle hinges on Tielemans' late penalty

Capitalising on the renewed momentum, Trossard delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, which Tielemans met with a powerful header for the 2‑2 equaliser in the 89th minute. The two players quickly moved past their disagreement, sharing a celebratory embrace after the goal. In , Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute, sealing Belgium’s victory and securing a place in the World Cup last‑16. The win capped a remarkable turnaround from a two‑goal deficit to progression. Belgium’s next challenge will be against the United States on 6 July in Seattle, the same venue that hosted their last‑32 triumph. The upcoming fixture promises another test for the Belgian side as they aim to continue their tournament run. Leandro Trossard now records two goals and an assist across his four 2026 World Cup appearances for Belgium, underlining his growing importance to the national team. His contributions suggest he will remain a key figure as Belgium seeks further advancement.