Belgium overwhelmed New Zealand 5-1 on June 26 in their final Group G match at the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver, Canada, securing first place in the group and a spot in the round of 32 [1, 2, 3]. Leandro Trossard scored twice, with Kevin De Bruyne adding a goal and assisting both of Trossard's strikes [1, 2, 3]. Substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers each added late goals as Belgium dominated throughout [1, 3, 4].
New Zealand's lone goal came in the 84th minute from Elijah Just, a consolation in the face of sustained pressure from Belgium [1, 3]. Belgium held around 60% possession and outshot New Zealand 35 to 6, with an expected goals advantage of 3.65 to 0.25 [3, 5, 4]. A penalty initially awarded to Belgium early on for a handball was overturned by VAR review [1, 2, 3].
Belgium topped Group G with 5 points from three matches, edging Egypt on goal difference after the two sides finished level on points [3, 5]. Egypt placed second following a 1-1 draw with Iran, who finished third and will await knockout qualification decisions [3, 6]. Belgium had drawn their first two group matches against Egypt and Iran before their win over New Zealand [2, 7].
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia praised his side’s performance, saying, "They are so wonderful for a nation as ours, and they delivered tonight, Leandro, De Bruyne, Lukaku -- this is what the so-called 'oldies' did tonight. We haven't won anything yet, but we moved on to the next phase." [2] De Bruyne became Belgium's oldest player to score at a World Cup in the match [3]. Trossard added, "We're just really happy with everyone. I think we have such a good group at the moment... the players coming from the bench, they are involved with goals and assists as well, so, yeah, we have to just keep on going and continue that into the next game." [7]
Belgium will now face one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, I, or J in the round of 32, most likely South Korea. That match is scheduled to take place between July 1 and July 3 at Lumen Field in Seattle [3, 5, 4].
