Belgium crushes – Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium routed New Zealand 5-1 to move from third to first in Group G, eliminating New Zealand. Kevin De Bruyne’s 66th-minute goal secured the group win over Egypt via a better goal differential, sending Belgium into the Round
VANCOUVER — Belgium didn’t just win. It seized the kind of statement the knockouts demand.
In its final Group G match. Belgium winger Leandro Trossard sparked the breakthrough with two goals as the team ran through New Zealand. winning 5-1. The swing wasn’t subtle: Belgium put together a dominant performance that left New Zealand with a heavy scoreline and a tournament that ends after another group-stage exit.
The result reshaped the standings immediately. Belgium moved from third to first in Group G, securing a spot in the Round of 32. New Zealand is officially eliminated, completing its third World Cup without a win.
The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne scored in the 66th minute. That goal proved enough for Belgium to finish on top because Belgium had a better goal differential than Egypt, which meant Belgium won Group G.
Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers added to the score late in the second half, turning what started as a needed spark into a rout. The late surge completed a victory that looked like more than just a win on the scoreboard—it offered Belgium the momentum it had been searching for.
Belgium’s group stage was not the crisp, high-scoring version some expected from a team ranked world No. 10. The tournament included underwhelming performances. and two group matches featured only own goals as scoring—an outcome that didn’t meet the standard set by the “golden generation” reputation. In that context. the clean. convincing 5-1 win over New Zealand landed like a correction. signaling that Belgium can still turn talent into results when the pressure rises.
That momentum matters now because Belgium’s next test is waiting in Seattle. Belgium will face the third-place team from group A, E, H, I or J in the Round of 32 in Seattle on Wednesday, July 1.
For Belgium, this is the kind of night that forces critics to step back—at least for one more match. For New Zealand, it’s the last page in a World Cup story that has now repeated three times without a victory.
Belgium New Zealand World Cup 2026 Group G Leandro Trossard Kevin De Bruyne Romelu Lukaku Alexis Saelemaekers Round of 32 Seattle goal differential Egypt
5-1 is brutal. New Zealand really dropped the ball.
I guess Belgium is finally waking up?? Trossard with two goals and De Bruyne scores and boom top of the group. Not sure how Egypt got stuck though, like was it a tie or something?
They say it was Belgium’s goal differential over Egypt but honestly goal differential sounds fake like whos keeping track lol. Also isn’t Seattle in Washington, not like Europe stuff. If Belgium plays good again that Round of 32 game is gonna be nuts.
New Zealand got eliminated for the third time? I swear I saw them win once in some other tournament though, maybe I’m mixing it up. Belgium looked way better in the second half—like De Bruyne’s goal was the turning point but also Lukaku scored after so it was already over. Either way I’m glad someone finally scored more than like 1 goal in these group games.