Vancouver, June 27, 2026: Belgium secured a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after producing a commanding performance against New Zealand, defeating them 5-1 in their final Group G encounter at Vancouver.
The Belgian side overcame an early challenge and turned the match into a one-sided contest with a clinical attacking display. Leandro Trossard played a decisive role in the victory, scoring twice, while experienced midfielder Kevin De Bruyne also found the net as Belgium finished their group campaign on a strong note.
New Zealand initially managed to frustrate Belgium’s attacking plans, but the European side gradually took control of the match. Once Belgium found their rhythm, their passing, movement and finishing proved too difficult for the opposition to contain.
Trossard opened the scoring and later added another goal to complete his brace, becoming one of the standout performers of the match. De Bruyne’s contribution further strengthened Belgium’s dominance as the team maintained pressure throughout the game.
The victory helped Belgium finish at the top of Group G, securing their progression to the next round of the tournament. Their next challenge will come against a third-placed team from another group in the knockout phase.
The match was played alongside the group’s other final fixture between Egypt and Iran, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The result also played a role in determining the final standings of Group G.
For Belgium, the win marked an important recovery after a slower start to their World Cup campaign. The team showed improved coordination and attacking confidence at a crucial stage of the tournament.
New Zealand, despite the defeat, displayed moments of resilience but struggled to handle Belgium’s attacking depth and experience. The result ended their hopes of progressing further in the competition.
With the knockout rounds approaching, Belgium will now look to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of World Cup glory. The performance in Vancouver has reinforced their position as one of the teams capable of making a deep run in the tournament.
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