World Cup 2026: New Zealand 1-5 Belgium - Leandro Trossard's double helps Red Devils reach knockout stages
Match report as Belgium thrash New Zealand 5-1 to reach World Cup knockouts; Leandro Trossard's double helps Red Devils earn first win of 2026 tournament; second-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers send Belgium through to round of 32 as Group G winners
Saturday 27 June 2026 07:50, UK
Belgium reached the World Cup knockout stages as group winners thanks to Leandro Trossard’s double in their 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in Vancouver.
After drawing their opening two games, the Red Devils' first win of the tournament saw them top Group G on goal difference to set up a round of 32 clash against the third-place finisher from either Group A/E/H/I/J on Wednesday at 9pm UK time in Seattle.
Belgium were utterly dominant against New Zealand as they had 35 shots against the lowest-ranked side in the competition, who have been eliminated from the World Cup after finishing bottom of the group.
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Trossard grabbed Belgium's deserved breakthrough in the 28th minute with a poacher's finish at a corner.
The Arsenal forward then eventually doubled Rudi Garcia's side's lead just five minutes into the second half with a fine chest and volleyed finish.
With Egypt drawing against Iran, Kevin De Bruyne's superb low strike then put Belgium on course to win Group G, only for Motherwell's Elijah Just's 84th-minute consolation goal to momentarily push them into the runners-up spot.
But Romelu Lukaku headed in just 64 seconds after coming on to immediately restore Belgium's three-goal lead.
Fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers then added a stoppage-time fifth as Belgium avoided consecutive group-stage World Cup exits.
The key moments from Vancouver
- 22: BELGIUM HAVE A PENALTY OVERTURNED! Belgium have a penalty for a Surman handball as he blocked Trossard's shot, but a pitchside monitor VAR review, the referee overturns his decision because Surman's arm was in a natural position.
- 28: BELGIUM GOAL! Belgium breakthrough as Trossard pounces at a corner to score the opener.
- 50: BELGIUM GOAL! Trossard chests and volleys from close range to deservedly double Belgium's lead.
- 66: BELGIUM GOAL! De Bruyne hits a lovely low arrowed strike across goal into the bottom corner.
- 84: NEW ZEALAND GOAL! Just's volleyed strike pushes Belgium back into second place.
- 86: BELGIUM GOAL! Instant impact from Lukaku as he heads home from Raskin's cross to restore the three-goal lead and move the Red Devils back to the top of the group.
- 90+4: BELGIUM GOAL! Saelemaekers strikes to ensure Belgium finish top of the group.
