Belgium overwhelm New Zealand with five-goal display
Belgium delivered a commanding 5–1 victory over New Zealand in their World Cup 2026 hub Group G finale, with Trossard the standout performer after netting twice to set the Red Devils on their way.
Trossard broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, and Belgium carried that lead into the second period before he struck again in the 50th minute to double the advantage. De Bruyne extended the margin further in the 66th minute, putting Belgium firmly in control.
New Zealand offered a brief response when Just pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished. Lukaku pounced in the 86th minute to restore the four-goal cushion, and Saelemaekers rounded off a emphatic evening in the 90th+4th minute to complete the 5–1 scoreline.
Group G picture tightens at the top
The result means Belgium move to five points from three matches, level with Egypt at the summit of Group G. Iran sit third with three points, while New Zealand remain rooted to the bottom with a single point from their three outings.
With the group stage now complete, the final live World Cup 2026 standings confirm a tight contest at the top, with Belgium and Egypt separated only by goal difference heading into the knockout rounds.
For New Zealand, Just’s goal proved mere consolation in a difficult evening, as Belgium’s clinical finishing proved far too much for the side to contain across the 90 minutes.