Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard’s brace against New Zealand helped Belgium move to the top of Group G, surpassing Egypt on goal difference.
Published June 27, 2026
Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 on Friday to book a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, knocking the All Whites out of the tournament. As a result, the European nation passed Group G in Vancouver in first place and secured their first World Cup victory.
A double from Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaker helped Belgium advance to the last 32 with a lead over Egypt on goal difference.
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Egypt finished in a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle and clinched the runner-up spot. The Iranians finished third in their group and will wait anxiously to find out their knockout fate.
Belgium dominated a one-sided first half and sounded the alarm for the New Zealand defense early on when Trossard’s angled shot sailed inside the uprights, only to be cleared off the line by Tyler Binden.
Belgium then looked poised to take the lead when Jordanian referee Adham Mohamad pointed to the penalty spot after Trossard’s shot hit the arm of covering defender Finn Surman.
However, VAR sent Mohamad to the monitors to recheck the decision, which was subsequently overturned and New Zealand were given a breather.
However, it didn’t take long for Belgium to break through and once again Trossard proved to be in the right place at the right time, scoring from close range after De Bruyne’s corner had caused panic six yards inside the box.
Trossard effectively made the game safe five minutes into the second half, controlling a rebound in a crowded area and volleying past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe at his near post.
De Bruyne then scored the decisive goal in the 66th minute with an elegant low finish to make it 3-0 and move Belgium ahead of Egypt on goal difference.
However, there was a dramatic ending when New Zealand’s Elijah Just volleyed home the winning shot from the edge of the area to make it 3-1.
This goal could have suddenly dropped Belgium to second place, which could have come at a price.
However, Lukaku scored his team’s fourth goal with his first touch in the 86th minute, just one minute after coming on as a substitute, returning Belgium to the lead.
Saelemakers scored the goal with a shot from the edge of the area.
