After a hard foul
Player writhes in pain – rule prevents treatment
Updated June 21, 2026 – 11:44 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
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Despite visible injuries, Trossard did not seek medical attention in the World Cup game against Iran. A new rule plays a crucial role.
Belgian international Leandro Trossard writhed in pain. During the Red Devils’ game against Iran at the Inglewood Stadium, Los Angelesthe offensive player lay on the grass after a hard foul, with the medical team from the Belgian national soccer team standing by a few meters away. But the medical supervisors were not used. Trossard declined treatment. That had to do with a new rule at the Football World Cup to do.
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Despite the Iranian Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s hard hit on Trossard’s calf – the Belgian’s sock was torn and a clear stud mark was visible on his lower leg – the Argentine referee Dario Herrera did not hand out a yellow card. That had consequences: If Trossard had been treated, the Belgian would have had to leave the field for a minute.
Favorite Belgium disappointed
The only exceptions to this new World Cup rule are goalkeepers and players who were injured as a result of a foul, for which they received a yellow or red card. Since this was not the case with Trossard, he would have been missing from his team during a medical break because the game would have continued without him.
It didn’t help much. After an emergency stop by Nathan Ngoy (66th minute), Belgium had to play outnumbered for almost half an hour. The big favorite didn’t get beyond a draw in the second World Cup game and, after a 0-0 draw against Iran, went into the final group game with just two points.
Like the 1-1 draw against Egypt At the start, the team was disappointed by its star players Kevin De Bruyne again and had to thank goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois that Iran did not score in their own offensive actions.
