Belgium’s Leandro Trossard produced a stunning display against New Zealand, scoring twice as the Red Devils romped to a 5-1 victory at BC Place on Friday night.
The convincing win secured Belgium’s place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, with Trossard playing a central role throughout the match.
The 31-year-old winger broke the deadlock inside the opening half hour, smashing the ball past goalkeeper Max Crocombe from close range after a well-worked corner routine.
Shortly after the break, Trossard doubled Belgium’s lead with a composed and clinical finish that showcased exactly the movement and intelligence that has defined his career.
He peeled off Joe Bell into the space between the right-back and centre-half, received the ball on the half-turn, and skipped past Finn Surman before cutting inside to shoot.
His initial effort was blocked, but Trossard reacted quickest to the rebound, smashing a snapshot volley into the nearside top corner to make it two.
He then turned provider, teeing up Kevin De Bruyne, who scored midway through the second half to become the first Belgian player to find the net in three different editions of the World Cup.
Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand, but Romelu Lukaku quickly restored Belgium’s three-goal advantage, before substitute Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia was full of praise for his experienced squad after the final whistle, telling reporters as quoted by Reuters: “This is what the oldies did tonight, quote unquote.”
Garcia added: “Now, we haven’t won anything yet, but we moved on to the next phase, but thank goodness we had a difference of four goals and that gave us the opportunity to be first of the group.”
The coach remained measured in his overall assessment, saying: “We can’t say that we are fully into it, but we are growing into it. We’re gaining momentum. We’ll see against whom we will be playing in the round of 32, but we will relish this first victory.”
Asked whether the ‘oldies’ tag had served as motivation, Garcia said: “No, I did not read it, but this is what I’ve heard from France, from Belgium, and this is not a source of motivation, honestly.”
He continued: “I trust my players, and that’s why my team is the way it is right now. I fully trust my leaders, and there’s only one thing that we can do. It’s actually happening on the pitch, and so the answer happened on the pitch, and I have nothing else to say.”
The performance will undoubtedly have caught the attention of Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who faces a pressing decision over Trossard’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
The Belgian winger has just one year remaining on his contract, meaning foreign clubs can open pre-contract discussions with him from January for a free transfer in the summer of 2027.
Arsenal will soon be forced into a difficult position, weighing up whether to offer Trossard an extension, cash in through a transfer, or risk losing him for nothing at the end of his deal.
Trossard’s two-goal display against New Zealand made a compelling case for his continued importance, and his manager Mikel Arteta will be acutely aware of what the club stands to lose.
The post Leandro Trossard Sends Arsenal And Andrea Berta A Timely Warning With World Cup Masterclass appeared first on Gooner Daily.