Leandro Trossard helps Belgium pass the 2026 World Cup group stage
Leandro Trossard scored two goals to help Belgium defeat New Zealand 5-1, winning a ticket to the 2026 World Cup knock-out round.
In Friday night's match, Leandro Trossard had an excellent performance, scoring two goals to help the Belgian team defeat New Zealand with a score of 5-1, thereby winning a ticket to the knock-out round of the 2026 World Cup. Belgium entered this match with the condition of having to win to be sure of progressing, and a draw may not be enough and failure will mean elimination. Trossard, Arsenal player, was the one who shined in this match.
In the 12th minute, Trossard was very close to opening the score when his left-footed shot hit the post and rolled on the goal line before being cleared. Next, he caused the referee to watch VAR when the ball touched the hand of a New Zealand player in the box, but the final decision was that there was no penalty due to the player's hand being in a natural position.
Seven minutes later, Trossard got his first goal, scoring from close range after a corner kick to put Belgium up 1-0. In the 41st minute, Trossard had a chance to help Belgium increase the score to 2-0, but his pass was unsuccessful.
Trossard went on to score Belgium's second goal in the 50th minute with a volley after the first shot was blocked. When Kevin De Bruyne scored the third goal in the 66th minute, Trossard was substituted, when the match was almost settled. The match ended 5-1 after a series of late goals, and Trossard was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match award. As the group leaders, Belgium will face the third-placed team from groups A, I, or J in the round of 32, which could be South Korea, Senegal, or Austria/Algeria, depending on the results of the remaining groups.
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