By Dwayne Ferreira.
Leandro Trossard scores twice as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1, top Group G and eliminate the All Whites from the World Cup.
Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium swept New Zealand aside 5-1 in Vancouver, topping Group G and advancing to the World Cup round of 32 with their strongest performance of the tournament.
Belgium entered the match needing victory to secure first place after draws against Egypt and Iran had left their campaign short of rhythm. New Zealand, meanwhile, still had hope after drawing with Iran and briefly threatening Belgium’s group-stage plans.
From the opening minutes, Belgium dominated possession and territory. Trossard nearly scored in the 11th minute when his effort struck the post, and Belgium briefly won a penalty after Finn Surman was hit on the arm. VAR intervened, ruling the arm position natural, and the decision was overturned.
Belgium did not have to wait much longer. In the 28th minute, Kevin De Bruyne delivered from the right and Trossard finished from close range to open the scoring. The goal rewarded sustained pressure and allowed the Red Devils to play with greater freedom.
Trossard struck again in the 50th minute, combining once more with De Bruyne. He controlled the through ball on his chest and volleyed home, doubling the lead and effectively breaking New Zealand’s resistance.
The All Whites briefly threatened through Elijah Just, who forced Thibaut Courtois into a low save. But Belgium soon added a third when De Bruyne drove a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The goal made him Belgium’s oldest World Cup scorer.
New Zealand found a deserved consolation through Just in the 84th minute, rewarding their persistence and work-rate. Yet Belgium’s substitutes ensured there would be no nervous finish. Romelu Lukaku headed in to restore the three-goal margin, becoming Belgium’s all-time leading World Cup scorer, before Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time.
The result sent New Zealand home still searching for a first World Cup victory, although coach Darren Bazeley said the experience would strengthen the team for future tournaments. Belgium finished level on points with Egypt but topped the group on goal difference.
The Red Devils now move into the knockouts with momentum and attacking confidence. Their round-of-32 fixture is against Senegal, a team whose pace and physicality will test whether Belgium’s emphatic win was a turning point or simply a response to an overmatched opponent.
MATCH SUMMARY
New Zealand – 1
Elijah Just 84’
Belgium – 5
Leandro Trossard 28’, 50’
Kevin De Bruyne
Romelu Lukaku
Alexis Saelemaekers 90+’
Result: Belgium won 5-1
Player of the Match: Leandro Trossard
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group G
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
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