Belgium secures World Cup knockout spot with dominant win over New Zealand

By Arjun Nair / 27.06.2026

By Arjun Nair — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Belgium has advanced to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup after a decisive 5-1 victory against New Zealand. This result, achieved on Friday, eliminated the All Whites from the tournament and marked Belgium‘s first win in the current World Cup campaign. The European nation concluded the group stage at the top of Group G in Vancouver.

The match saw a strong performance from Belgium, with Leandro Trossard contributing a brace. Additional goals came from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers, propelling Belgium into the last 32. Their superior goal difference placed them ahead of Egypt in the group standings.

Group G conclusion and knockout implications

The outcome of Belgium‘s match was crucial for determining the final standings in Group G. Egypt secured the runners-up position in the group following a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. Iran finished third in the group and now faces an uncertain wait to determine their fate regarding progression to the knockout stage.

Belgium entered the match in a surprising third place within their group, having previously drawn 1-1 against Egypt and played to a scoreless draw against Iran in their opening World Cup fixtures. This recent victory allowed them to overcome their slow start in the tournament.

The All Whites, New Zealand, needed an outright win to have any chance of advancing in the tournament. However, their defeat means they will head home without securing their first-ever World Cup win.

Match highlights and key moments

Belgium asserted dominance early in the match, particularly in a lopsided first half. New Zealand‘s defense faced early pressure when Trossard‘s angled shot struck the inside of the upright and was subsequently cleared off the line by Tyler Bindon.

A potential penalty for Belgium was initially awarded by Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh after Trossard‘s shot appeared to hit the arm of defender Finn Surman. However, the decision was overturned after a VAR review, providing a brief reprieve for New Zealand.

Despite the VAR decision, Belgium did not have to wait long for their breakthrough. Trossard capitalized on a chaotic situation in the six-yard box, bundling the ball home from close range after a corner from De Bruyne caused disarray among the defenders. This goal gave Belgium the lead.

Five minutes into the second half, Trossard effectively secured the game for Belgium. He expertly controlled a rebound in a crowded area and volleyed the ball past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe at the near post, completing his brace.

De Bruyne further extended Belgium‘s lead in the 66th minute with an elegant low finish, making the score 3-0. This goal was particularly significant as it allowed Belgium to leapfrog Egypt into first place in the group based on goal difference.

However, the match saw a dramatic turn when New Zealand‘s Elijah Just scored a consolation goal from the edge of the area, bringing the score to 3-1. This goal briefly threatened Belgium‘s top spot, potentially bumping them down to second place.

The threat was short-lived as Lukaku, who had just come on as a substitute, headed home Belgium‘s fourth goal in the 86th minute with his first touch, restoring their position at the top of the table. Saelemaekers then completed the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area, sealing the 5-1 victory for Belgium.

Source: aljazeera.com