Belgium advances to World Cup knockouts after 5-1 victory over New Zealand
Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-1 to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds. This dominant victory eliminated the All Whites and put Belgium ato
Trossard brace guides Belgium to World Cup knockouts as New Zealand exit
Belgium secured their place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand. The win, which took place on Friday, eliminated the All Whites from the tournament. This result marked Belgium‘s first win of the World Cup, positioning them at the top of Group G in Vancouver.
A brace from Arsenal‘s Leandro Trossard, alongside goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers, propelled Belgium into the last 32. They finished in first place, ahead of Egypt on goal difference. Egypt secured the runners-up spot after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle, while Iran finished third in the group.
Dominant First Half Performance
Belgium demonstrated a dominant performance in the first half, creating early pressure on the New Zealand defence. An angled shot from Leandro Trossard struck the inside of the upright but was cleared off the line by Tyler Bindon. Moments later, Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh initially awarded a penalty after Trossard‘s shot appeared to hit the arm of defender Finn Surman. However, the decision was subsequently overturned after a VAR review, giving New Zealand a temporary reprieve.
Despite the overturned penalty, Belgium did not have to wait long to break the deadlock. Trossard was again central to the action, bundling the ball home from close range after a corner from De Bruyne caused disarray in the six-yard box. This goal set the tone for Belgium‘s control of the match.
Second Half Goals Secure Victory
Five minutes into the second half, Trossard extended Belgium‘s lead, effectively putting the game beyond doubt. He controlled a rebound in a crowded area and volleyed the ball past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe at the near post. This second goal further solidified Belgium‘s advantage.
Kevin De Bruyne added to the scoreline in the 66th minute with an elegant low finish, making it 3-0. This goal was crucial as it allowed Belgium to leapfrog Egypt into first place in the group based on goal difference. The match, played simultaneously with the Egypt versus Iran fixture in Seattle, saw Belgium needing a strong performance to secure the top spot.
A dramatic turn occurred when New Zealand‘s Elijah Just scored a consolation goal from the edge of the area, bringing the score to 3-1. This strike had the potential to be costly for Belgium, as it briefly bumped them down to second place in the group standings. However, Belgium quickly responded to regain their commanding position.
Romelu Lukaku, who had just entered the game as a substitute, restored Belgium‘s comfortable lead in the 86th minute. With his first touch, Lukaku headed home his team’s fourth goal, returning Belgium to the top of the table. Alexis Saelemaekers then completed the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area, sealing the 5-1 victory.
Group Stage Performance and Knockout Stage Outlook
Belgium had a slow start to the World Cup, having drawn 1-1 against Egypt and played a scoreless draw against Iran in their earlier group matches. These results had placed them in a surprising third position in Group G before their decisive match against New Zealand. The dominant win against New Zealand was essential for their progression.
The All Whites, who needed a victory to have any chance of advancing, will now head home without securing their first-ever World Cup win. Belgium, having finished atop Group G, will now face a third-place finisher in the knockout round on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Seattle.
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Source: aljazeera.com
Rohan Gupta
Sports Reporter
