Belgium rediscovered its attacking flair in emphatic fashion on Friday night, crushing New Zealand 5-1 to secure first place in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and book a place in the knockout stage. After entering the final group match with two disappointing draws, the Red Devils erupted for five goals to send a clear message that they remain a dangerous contender.
Leandro Trossard led the charge with two goals as Belgium finished atop the group with seven points. The convincing victory, combined with Egypt’s 1-1 draw against Iran in the other Group G finale, ensured Belgium advanced as group winners and will face one of the tournament’s best third-place finishers on Wednesday in Seattle.
The result marked a dramatic turnaround for Belgium, which had opened its World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt before playing to a frustrating scoreless draw against Iran. Memories of the team’s disappointing group-stage elimination at the 2022 FIFA World Cup lingered, but Friday’s performance showcased the attacking quality that has long made Belgium one of Europe’s elite sides.
New Zealand entered the contest needing nothing less than a victory to keep its knockout hopes alive. Instead, the All Whites were overwhelmed by Belgium’s relentless pressure and will return home still searching for their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory after earning only a draw and two defeats in Group G.
Belgium nearly struck in the opening minutes when Trossard appeared to have scored, only for goal-line technology to confirm the ball had not fully crossed the line. Moments later, the Red Devils were awarded a penalty after New Zealand defender Finn Surman was ruled to have handled the ball inside the area, but a VAR review overturned the decision after determining his arm was in a natural position.
Belgium finally found its breakthrough in the 28th minute. Following a corner kick, the ball bounced around the penalty area before Trossard reacted quickest, blasting his effort into the roof of the net for the tournament’s first Belgian goal scored by one of its own players. Belgium’s opening goal against Egypt had been credited as an own goal, making Trossard’s strike their first by a Belgian player since Michy Batshuayi scored against Canada at the 2022 World Cup.
The Arsenal winger doubled Belgium’s advantage shortly after halftime, pouncing on a rebound that deflected off a New Zealand defender before beating goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
Captain Kevin De Bruyne then produced one of the tournament’s standout moments in the 66th minute, unleashing a spectacular long-range strike from outside the penalty area that left Crocombe helpless. The Manchester City midfielder celebrated by forming a heart with his hands toward the sellout crowd in Vancouver.
Although Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand in the 84th minute to deny Belgium a clean sheet, the Red Devils quickly restored their four-goal cushion. Romelu Lukaku powered home a header two minutes later before blowing a kiss to the supporters, and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring deep into stoppage time.
Belgium also welcomed back winger Jérémy Doku, who returned to the starting lineup after missing the scoreless draw with Iran due to illness. Doku had briefly left the squad to travel to London for the birth of his son and had trained only once with the team over the previous week before making an immediate impact.
Veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also reached a significant milestone, making his 18th World Cup appearance for Belgium to surpass the national record previously held by Enzo Scifo.
For New Zealand, the defeat brought an end to a spirited campaign. The All Whites opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Iran before falling 3-1 to Egypt and ultimately finishing with a heavy loss to Belgium.
Belgium now shifts its attention to the knockout rounds, where victory in Seattle would send the Red Devils into the Round of 16 against the winner of the matchup between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina. With Trossard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, and a healthy supporting cast finding their rhythm, Belgium heads into the elimination phase looking far more like the championship contender many expected before the tournament began.
