Samoa and Belgium are set to meet next week in a decisive showdown that will determine. Which nation secures a coveted place at the Rugby World Cup 2027? Both sides advanced to the final stage of the qualification pathway after overcoming Namibia and Brazil, respectively, in the second round of the Final Qualification Tournament.
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Their contrasting journeys set the stage for a compelling clash, with everything now hinging on one final match. Belgium’s dramatic win over Brazil came in a fiercely contested battle that went down to the wire. The European side ultimately emerged victorious, claiming a tense 30–27 triumph in a match defined by physicality, momentum swings, and relentless intensity.
The Diables Noirs wasted no time making their mark, striking almost immediately from the kick-off. Tighthead prop Jean-Baptiste de Clercq burst through the Brazilian defensive line with a remarkable solo break, setting the tone for the opening phases. Soon after, his front-row partner Charles-Henri Berguet finished the movement, diving over for the game’s first try.
Belgium continued to build pressure and extended its lead just twelve minutes later. Captain Jean-Maurice Decubber finished a fluid, offloading sequence with a well-deserved try, showcasing the team’s cohesion and attacking ambition. Matias Remue added both conversions, giving Belgium a confident early cushion as they controlled possession and territory.
Rugby World Cup: Brazil Surges Late to Close the Gap
For much of the first half, the Tupis struggled to find their rhythm. Handling errors and defensive lapses prevented them from building meaningful momentum. But in the final minutes before halftime, Brazil sparked into life.
Veteran lock Matteo Dell’Acqua forced his way into the in-goal area, offering his side a lifeline. Thiago Oviedo slotted the conversion, suddenly reducing the deficit and restoring belief. Brazil nearly added another score before the break, but a crucial fumble near the try-line ended the opportunity.
Allowing Belgium to clear its lines and take a seven-point lead into halftime. After the restart, Brazil pressed forward with renewed determination. In less than eight minutes, Josh Reeve’s men overturned the deficit: first through a long-range penalty from Oviedo, then with a powerful try from front-rower Yan Rosetti.
Belgium’s situation worsened soon after when Toon Deceuninck was shown a yellow card, reducing them to fourteen men. Minutes later, things deteriorated further when Berguet received a red card for kicking Rosetti in the head, leaving his side down to thirteen and facing a daunting challenge.
Yet the Diables Noirs refused to fold. Remarkably, even while short-handed. They regained control through two composed penalty kicks from Remue, putting Belgium back in front with twenty minutes left. The closing stages of the match delivered some of the tournament’s tensest rugby.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Belgium Keep World Cup Dream Alive
Brazil equalised with a superb long-range penalty by Lucas Tranquez. Only for Remue to respond again, this time scoring his first try of the tournament after a slick flick pass from Siméon Soenen. Still, Brazil would not go away.
Throwing everything into attack, the Tupis secured a crucial five-metre lineout. And executed a powerful driving movement that ended with prop Leonel Moreno crashing over. With the successful conversion, Brazil snatched a two-point lead with just seven minutes remaining, putting Belgium on the brink of elimination.
But the drama was far from finished. With time running out, Belgium mounted one final surge. Replacement tighthead prop Maxime Jadot delivered the decisive blow, grounding the ball at the back of a maul to reclaim the lead and seal a thrilling victory.
With that, Laurent Dossat’s side advanced to the final round, keeping their Rugby World Cup dream alive. To complete the journey, they will now need to defeat Samoa next Tuesday to book their ticket to Australia 2027. Samoa, meanwhile, advanced after a composed and dominant performance against Namibia, securing a 26–8 win.
Tusi Pisi’s side started strong, breaking through within the first five minutes when Jonathan Taumateine finished off a well-structured attack. Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong added a second try soon after, with Jacob Umaga converting both to give Samoa a commanding early lead.
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