Trossard Fires Belgium Closer to the Last 32 with World Cup Brace

Leandro Trossard became Belgium’s hero on Saturday morning, scoring twice against New Zealand in a result that moved Belgium closer to the World Cup round of 32. The Arsenal forward recorded his first goals in a major tournament for the national team after what the article described as an underwhelming World Cup campaign so far.

Belgian media reacted with praise and nicknamed him “the national calmer.” HLN wrote that Belgium had edged toward the next stage thanks to Trossard, calling Kevin De Bruyne’s pass to him brilliant and saying the striker was not far from a hat-trick. Sforza also highlighted De Bruyne’s delivery, saying it reminded readers of his best years and that Trossard showed great confidence.

The goals came against the backdrop of speculation about Trossard’s future. Reports recently said he had received an offer from Besiktas, and Trossard said, “I am waiting for offers from bigger clubs,” after a season in which he was a secondary player for Arsenal, which won the English championship. Arsenal is still prepared to sell him after the World Cup despite the brace.

Statistically, Trossard became only the seventh player in Belgium’s history to score a brace at a World Cup, and the first since 2018. In that tournament, Romelu Lukaku did it twice, against Panama and Tunisia, while Eden Hazard also scored two goals against Tunisia.