Leandro Trossard had an eventful game for Belgium against Wales on Monday, scoring and winning a penalty but also arguably being at fault for a goal his team conceded.Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesA...
Leandro Trossard had an eventful game for Belgium against Wales on Monday, scoring and winning a penalty but also arguably being at fault for a goal his team conceded.
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Approaching the final games of World Cup qualification, Belgium knew their match against Wales on Monday was a big one.
Lose the game, and Belgium would drop to third, an elimination position. Win it, and they could jump up to first, the only automatic qualification position.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard started the match at centre-forward, with Romelu Lukaku out injured. But it was Wales who scored first, with Joe Rodon heading home in the eighth minute.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Belgium came from behind to lead at half time through a Kevin De Bruyne penalty and a finish from Thomas Meunier. Then Trossard appeared to make sure of the result in the 76th minute by winning a penalty.
The Arsenal forward received possession in the penalty area, holding off pressure before trying to flick the ball to a teammate. But Wales’ Jordan James extended his elbow out to block the pass, and the referee awarded a penalty. Once again, De Bruyne converted it for 3-1.
Yet there were a couple more twists to come. Trossard was caught on the ball in the 89th minute by Kieffer Moore, who found Nathan Broadhead to score for 3-2.
Fortunately, Trossard immediately made amends, getting free in the box and driving in a first-time left-footed finish for 4-2 and all three points.
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images
With North Macedonia drawing against Kazakhstan, the win was enough to take Belgium up to first position, one point ahead of North Macedonia having played a game fewer.
Another boost is that North Macedonia still have to play third-place Wales, so only one of the two can pick up all three points on the final day.
A win for Belgium in their next game against Kazakhstan on November 15th would guarantee a top-spot finish and automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup with a match to spare.
Category: General Sports
