Belgium vs – Belgium dismantled New Zealand 5-1 to clinch Group G, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice early and the Red Devils adding three more after Romelu Lukaku and others struck late. New Zealand were eliminated, and Belgium now play a Round of 32 match in Seattle on
Belgium didn’t just win—it swallowed the match whole. At BC Place in Vancouver, the Red Devils struck early, added another blow before halftime, and kept pouring it on after the restart as New Zealand’s World Cup run ended with a 5-1 defeat.
The night began like a statement of intent. Belgium opened scoring at 28′ when Leandro Trossard finished after New Zealand’s defense got caught napping on a corner. Trossard then spent the rest of the first half pushing the pace. with Belgium controlling possession and keeping the ball in New Zealand’s half after the 24′ hydration break. New Zealand barely mounted sustained threats, and Belgium’s pressure looked suffocating from the first whistle.
Belgium were already in the lead at halftime—1-0—after putting up 16 attempts on goal, four on target, while New Zealand were held without a shot on goal. The frustration showed on New Zealand striker Chris Wood, who was visibly upset after challenges that didn’t result in fouls being called.
New Zealand almost got a lifeline at 43′, but Max Crocombe made a powerful save to deny Charles De Ketelaere after Kevin De Bruyne set him up for a one-on-one chance. Belgium’s second half didn’t slow down.
At 50′, Belgium doubled the lead. Trossard turned another chance into a goal when his initial shot was blocked, the ball rebounded, and he sent it past Crocombe for 2-0—two goals for the winger.
The score stayed comfortable for Belgium, even as VAR checks interrupted the rhythm earlier in the match. At 12′, Trossard hit the post and goal line technology confirmed the ball never crossed the line. At 22′, VAR confirmed there was no penalty after Finn Surman’s hand was deemed in a natural position. At 62′. Croatiaome made another big stop. this time after Arthur Theate unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
Belgium’s dominance turned into a rout after the second half hydration break. At 66′. Kevin De Bruyne scored Belgium’s third goal. dribbling through New Zealand’s defense and firing a shot that beat Crocombe for 3-0. The stadium sounded its own kind of pressure—chants of “Oh. Kevin De Bruyne”—before the referee called for the next hydration break.
New Zealand finally found the net at 84′, when Elijah Just scored to make it 3-1 and give the All-Whites a brief moment to celebrate. But Belgium answered again quickly, and the late sequence decided everything.
At 86′, Romelu Lukaku—brought on as a substitute—scored Belgium’s fourth after a header to make it 4-1. With time running out, Alexis Saelemaekers added the fifth at 90+4′, scoring just moments before the final whistle to seal the 5-1 final.
Throughout the match, Belgium made multiple changes. New Zealand opened the second half with a double substitution at 46′. with Sarpreet Singh and Ryan Thomas coming off for Jesse Randal and Ben Old. They made another double swap at 64′, taking Tim Payne and Joe Bell off for Michael Boxall and Callum McCowatt. At 79′, Liberato Cacace came off for Francis De Vries.
Belgium also refreshed their lineup at 72′, bringing on Alexis Saelemaekers and Amadou Onana for Leandro Trossard and Kevin De Bruyne. Earlier at 56′, Elijah Just received a yellow card for stopping Jérémy Doku, and Doku was then subbed off for Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
By the end of the night, the implications were clear. New Zealand were officially eliminated, while Belgium won Group G.
Belgium’s path now shifts to knockout football. 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.
The match kicked off at 11:00 PM ET and aired on Fox, with additional options including Fubo and the Fox One App. Spanish-language broadcasts were available on Telemundo and Peacock.
From the ground-level reality of the scoreboard to the tournament outcome, it was a one-sided finish: Belgium’s early goals became a pattern, and New Zealand’s attempts to respond couldn’t keep up.
Belgium vs New Zealand World Cup Group G Leandro Trossard Kevin De Bruyne Romelu Lukaku Alexis Saelemaekers BC Place Vancouver Round of 32 Seattle July 1
5-1 is wild, Belgium just ran it up. New Zealand never stood a chance.
So did Belgium cheat with VAR or what? Like every time they checked something it felt like they were getting freebies. Also Trossard scoring twice early?? sounds like he got lucky honestly.
I watched the highlights and I’m confused… was Lukaku even the main guy or is it just Trossard doing everything? They said New Zealand had no shots on goal but somehow it still got to 43’ with that one chance. Chris Wood being upset doesn’t mean anything to me, refs never call stuff anyway.
Group G clinched already and now they play in Seattle like that’s supposed to matter lol. Vancouver BC Place to Seattle is basically the same trip right? Anyway Belgium were suffocating from the first whistle, but I swear VAR always pauses the game at the worst time. New Zealand were eliminated and I feel bad for Crocombe, dude made one big save then got cooked after.