Belgium secured qualification for the World Cup knockout stage with a convincing 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver, finishing top of Group G.
Needing all three points, Belgium dominated from the opening whistle and finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Leandro Trossard capitalised on poor defending from a Kevin De Bruyne corner to score from close range.
Trossard doubled his tally five minutes into the second half after reacting quickest to a blocked effort. De Bruyne then added Belgium’s third with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 66th minute.
New Zealand briefly reduced the deficit through Elijah Just, who scored his third goal of the tournament. However, substitute Romelu Lukaku restored Belgium’s three-goal cushion less than a minute after coming on. Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The victory, combined with Egypt’s draw against Iran, saw Belgium finish first in Group G on goal difference. They will now face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in the last 32.
New Zealand’s World Cup campaign ends with one point from three matches despite flashes of promise during the tournament.
Belgium’s emphatic display provides fresh momentum as they prepare for the knockout rounds and renew their bid for a first-ever FIFA World Cup title.
