Leandro Trossard delivered when Belgium needed him most, scoring twice to secure top spot in Group G and drag the Red Devils out of a tournament slump that had threatened to define their campaign.

The brace was a statement of intent from a side that had stuttered through the early rounds, raising serious questions about whether the former world No. 1 ranked nation still had enough to compete at the highest level.

Belgium had entered this World Cup carrying the weight of expectation — and, for large stretches of the group stage, appeared to buckle under it. Their performances were laboured, their attack misfiring, their rhythm elusive. Trossard changed all of that in one decisive evening.

A brace to remember

Both goals underlined Trossard's ability to perform on the biggest stage. His finishing was sharp, his movement intelligent, and his contributions gave Belgium exactly the platform they needed to close out the group in style.

The victory lifts Belgium into the knockout rounds with momentum, something that had looked impossible only a few days earlier. Three games in, Roberto Martínez's side have finally found their footing — and the timing could not be more important.

Belgium are through as group winners, which means a potentially more favourable draw in the next round. For a squad packed with quality, that could prove decisive as the competition intensifies.

Questions answered — for now

The nature of the win will not silence every critic. Belgium's group was not the most demanding, and questions about their depth and consistency will surface again the moment their performances dip. But football is a results business, and Trossard ensured the results pointed in the right direction.

If he can maintain this form into the knockout stages, Belgium's prospects improve considerably. The Red Devils are alive — and now, for the first time in this tournament, they look like it.