Leandro Trossard’s second goal turned Belgian anxiety into release, and Belgium crushed New Zealand 5-1 in a New Zealand-Belgium World Cup game in Vancouver that flipped Group G.
Belgium had arrived at BC Place with only two points and one goal from two matches, third in the group behind Egypt and Iran. By full time, after Iran and Egypt drew 1-1, Belgium had climbed all the way to first.
Trossard releases Belgium with double strike
The first break came in the 28th minute, when Trossard gave Belgium a 1-0 half-time lead that settled the match’s early pressure. His second, five minutes after the restart, changed the mood completely: New Zealand now needed to survive a Belgian attack that had found rhythm at the crucial time.
Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 66th minute, turning control into consequence. Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand in the 84th, but any hint of late tension lasted only two minutes before Romelu Lukaku struck in the 86th and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring in the 90th.
Belgium overwhelms New Zealand with volume
The numbers matched the feeling of the second half. Belgium had 55% possession, but the real difference was pressure: 34 total shots to New Zealand’s 6, and 9 on target to 2.
Belgium also led the corner count 8-5 and completed 459 passes to New Zealand’s 352. New Zealand committed more fouls, 10 to 7, and received both yellow cards as the match slipped away.
Group G rewards Belgium’s surge
Belgium finished top of Group G on five points, level with Egypt but ahead on goal difference after reaching 6 goals for and 2 against. Egypt also advanced on five points, while Iran finished third with three draws and a playoff place.
New Zealand ended fourth with one point from 0 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, conceding 10 goals despite scoring 4 across the group. For Belgium, a campaign that had looked fragile after two games now moves on with first place secured.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup. Date & Time: Saturday 27 June 2026, 05:00 CET. Venue: BC Place, Vancouver. Referee: Adham Mohammad, Jordan.
