World Cup: Belgium crush New Zealand to reach last 32

Belgium stormed into the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Friday after crushing New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver to finish top of Group G.

Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers were also on target as the Red Devils claimed their first win of the tournament in emphatic fashion.

Belgium finished ahead of Egypt on goal difference after the North Africans were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran in Seattle.

The Red Devils dominated the first half and almost went ahead early when Trossard’s angled effort struck the inside of the post before Tyler Binden cleared the ball off the line.

Belgium thought they had won a penalty moments later after Trossard’s shot struck the arm of defender Finn Surman.

Jordanian referee Adham Mohammad initially pointed to the spot, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

Belgium, however, did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough.

Trossard bundled the ball home from close range after De Bruyne’s corner caused panic inside the New Zealand six-yard box.

The Arsenal forward struck again five minutes into the second half, controlling a rebound in a crowded area before volleying past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe at the near post.

De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 66th minute with a composed low finish, a crucial goal that lifted Belgium above Egypt in the group standings.

New Zealand briefly threatened to spoil Belgium’s top-place finish when Elijah Just volleyed home from the edge of the area to make it 3-1.

The goal temporarily pushed Belgium back into second place on the live table.

But Lukaku restored Belgium’s advantage in the group race in the 86th minute, nodding home with his first touch barely a minute after coming off the bench.

Saelemaekers then completed the rout with a strike from the edge of the box as Belgium sealed a commanding victory and marched into the knockout phase.