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What a game.
Belgium pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history — and it all started with teammates pushing each other on the pitch.
The Drama in Los Angeles
Belgium were staring down an early World Cup exit. Trailing Senegal 2-0 in the round of 32, tensions boiled over during a second-half hydration break. Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans and Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard were seen exchanging heated words, with Trossard shoving Tielemans as teammates Romelu Lukaku and Nicolas Raskin had to physically separate the pair.
It looked like Belgium’s golden generation was unraveling on the pitch.
Then came the magic
Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute. Then, three minutes later, Tielemans rose to meet a Trossard cross and headed home the equalizer. All signs of their earlier clash vanished instantly — Tielemans sought out Trossard and lifted him into the air in celebration.
The drama didn’t stop there. Tielemans completed the turnaround by converting a 125th-minute penalty — officially the latest goal scored in World Cup history — to seal a 3-2 victory and send Belgium into the round of 16.
Tielemans: “Just emotions of the moment”
Speaking after the match, Tielemans played down the incident:
“No, look, those are the emotions of the moment. We’re all winners. We all want to win. To do things right. To represent our country well, that’s all part of it. That’s part of football. Afterwards, there was no issue.”
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia actually welcomed the passion, saying he wants players “ready to flip the table when things aren’t going right.”
“It shows we have a team with real spirit,” Garcia said. “Players are allowed to disagree; they’re allowed to trade heated words. Leandro and Youri are two very important players for the Belgian national team. They wanted to win so badly.”
What’s Next?
Belgium now face co-hosts United States in the round of 16 — a massive test for a team that found its fighting spirit when it mattered most.
Upcoming World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
| Match | Stage | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Austria | Round of 32 | July 2 | Los Angeles |
| Belgium vs USA | Round of 16 | TBD | TBD |
| Argentina vs Nigeria | Round of 32 | July 2 | Houston |
FAQ
Why were Tielemans and Trossard fighting?
The exact cause is unknown, but the pair exchanged words during a hydration break as Belgium trailed 2-0. Trossard shoved Tielemans before teammates intervened. Both players said it was just passion and wanting to win.
What’s the latest goal in World Cup history?
Tielemans’ 125th-minute penalty against Senegal now holds the record for the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup match.
Who does Belgium play next?
Belgium will face the United States in the round of 16. The date and venue are yet to be confirmed.
Where was the match played?
The Belgium vs Senegal match was played as part of the 2026 World Cup being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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