Youri Tielemans scored as Belgium beat Croatia 2-0 in Rijeka with Villa teammate Amadou Onana also starting in an encouraging World Cup warm-up.
- Tielemans broke the deadlock with a composed left-footed finish from eight yards in the 38th minute
- The Villa captain completed the full 90 minutes, Onana contributed 67 minutes in a disciplined defensive role
- Belgium face Tunisia on Saturday before their World Cup Group G campaign begins
Youri Tielemans: the man in form keeps delivering
There is a wonderful rhythm to Youri Tielemans’ 2026. Europa League final goal in Istanbul. Trophy lifted as Villa key player. And now a composed, match-winning finish for Belgium against one of Europe’s most respected footballing nations in their final major World Cup warm-up.
The goal itself was characteristically efficient. Jeremy Doku beat his marker and delivered a dangerous ball into the box. A scramble in the penalty area followed. The ball fell kindly and Tielemans calmly placed his left-footed effort into the far corner. Eight yards. Composed. Decisive. Entirely in keeping with a player who has been scoring important goals at the biggest moments all season.
He completed the full 90 minutes in Rijeka confirming that the physical condition and confidence that carried Villa to European glory is entirely intact heading into the tournament. Belgium captain. Villa captain. Europa League winner. World Cup participant. Tielemans arrives in North America in the finest form and the deepest confidence of his entire career.
Amadou Onana. Disciplined, effective, exactly what Belgium needed
Amadou Onana’s contribution across his 67 minutes was equally encouraging. Deployed in a specifically defensive midfield role by Rudi Garcia, the Villa midfielder helped neutralise Croatia’s attacking threat alongside Nathan Ngoy, Arthur Theate and the rest of the Belgian back line.
Croatia came out with greater intent after half-time, making several substitutions and coming close to equalising through Ante Budimir’s header against the crossbar. Onana’s physical presence, positional discipline, and defensive intelligence were central to Belgium’s ability to absorb that pressure and maintain their clean sheet. His role mirrors exactly what Villa demand from him, protecting the defence while allowing more creative colleagues to operate with freedom.
His calf injury absences at critical moments this season underlined his importance. Tuesday’s performance confirmed a player fully fit, focused, and ready for the demands of tournament football.
Belgium’s broader performance. Real confidence before the tournament
The full picture from Rijeka was extremely positive for Rudi Garcia’s squad. Kevin De Bruyne dictated the tempo with his characteristic vision and passing range. Jeremy Doku threatened consistently down the left. Thibaut Courtois was alert when required. And Romelu Lukaku, returning to the national fold, crowned a disciplined collective performance with a composed finish deep into stoppage time.
Lukaku’s goal was symbolic beyond its scoreline contribution. Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer marked his return with a typically composed finish, rifling into the top corner from Vanaken’s perfectly weighted through ball. His presence adds another dimension to a squad already brimming with Champions League and European trophy experience.
Belgium now face Tunisia on Saturday in their final warm-up before Group G begins. Egypt, Iran and New Zealand await. The expectation is that Tielemans, Onana and the Red Devils will progress comfortably and the performance against Croatia suggests those expectations are entirely justified.
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Tielemans scoring in a World Cup warm-up barely registers as a surprise any more. He has been doing it on the biggest stages all year. The more significant news is Onana completing 67 disciplined minutes, confirming his fitness and form heading into a tournament where Belgium will need his physicality and defensive intelligence throughout. Two Villa players. One clean sheet. One goal. Belgium are ready.
