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Arsenal forward assists vital goal after angry teammate confrontation

Leandro Trossard overcame an on-field confrontation with Belgium teammate Youri Tielemans to assist the same player for a vital late equaliser in their World Cup last-32 comeback victory.

Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium celebrates with teammate Leandro Trossard #10 after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

After a very poor performance, Belgium found themselves going into the second-half hydration break two goals down and with frustrations boiling over.

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard ended up in an aggressive verbal confrontation with Youri Tielemans as they made their way towards the sideline, with teammates having to separate the pair.

Trossard was frustrated by Tielemans’ decision to play a poor cross into the box rather than a short pass to the Arsenal man on the edge of the area, and Tielemans didn’t take kindly to the feedback.

Leandro Trossard #10 and Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium have words while Romelu Lukaku #9 intervenes during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

The pair had to quickly put the disagreement aside and get back to focusing on the match, especially after Romelu Lukaku scored for 2-1 to cut the Belgium deficit.

What happened next was almost scripted, as Trossard played an excellent cross into the penalty area and Tielemans headed it home for 2-2 in the 89th minute.

Suddenly, the pair were all smiles again, sharing a celebratory embrace.

Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium celebrates with teammate Leandro Trossard #10 after scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Belgium went on to win the game in extra time, with Tielemans scoring a penalty in the 125th minute to send his team through to the last-16. They’ll face the United States on July 6th in Seattle, at the same ground as Belgium’s last-32 match.

Trossard now has two goals and an assist in his four 2026 World Cup appearances for Belgium, and he’ll likely continue to be vital if they want to keep progressing.

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