Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday to finish top of Group G and book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32. The defeat ended New Zealand’s hopes of progressing.
Belgium and Egypt both finished on five points from three matches, but Belgium claimed top spot on goal difference. Iran finished third with three points after drawing 1-1 with Egypt, while New Zealand ended bottom of the group with one point.
Belgium will now face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in the knockout stage.
Belgium dominated from the start and controlled possession throughout the first half.
Trossard thought he had opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but his effort hit the post.
A few minutes later, Belgium were awarded a penalty after Finn Surman appeared to handle Trossard’s shot. However, following a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision, ruling that Surman’s arm was in a natural position.
Belgium finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Trossard turned in a Kevin De Bruyne cross from close range after a well-worked move.
Five minutes into the second half, Trossard doubled the lead. He latched onto another excellent pass from De Bruyne, controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed home.
New Zealand briefly threatened when Elijah Just forced Thibaut Courtois into a fine save in the 54th minute with the team’s first shot on target.
Belgium quickly responded. De Bruyne made it 3-0 with a low finish from the edge of the penalty area after another assist from Trossard. The goal also made the 34-year-old the oldest Belgian player to score at a World Cup.
The strike sparked loud chants for De Bruyne from the Belgium supporters inside BC Place.
New Zealand pulled a goal back in the 84th minute through Elijah Just, but Belgium finished strongly. Romelu Lukaku headed home to restore the three-goal advantage before substitute Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time.
The goal was another milestone for Lukaku, who became Belgium’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup with six goals, moving ahead of Marc Wilmots.
