Belgium demolish New Zealand 5-1 to top Group 7 and reach World Cup last 32

Dominant display

Belgium needed a victory to guarantee progression after two earlier draws against Egypt and Iran, and they delivered in emphatic fashion. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute, finishing from close range after a Kevin De Bruyne corner caused chaos in the New Zealand box. Trossard doubled the lead early in the second half, controlling a blocked shot and firing home his second in the 50th minute.

Midfield maestro

De Bruyne was at the heart of Belgium's attacking fluency, providing the assist for the first goal and then drilling a spectacular long-range strike in the 66th minute to make it 3-0. The Belgian captain combined with Trossard for the third, capping a performance that underlined his influence on the team's qualification campaign.

Late flurry seals the group

New Zealand pulled a goal back in the 84th minute through Just, briefly threatening Belgium's goal difference advantage. Substitute Romelu Lukaku responded two minutes later to restore the three-goal cushion, and Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in second-half stoppage time. The 5-1 margin, combined with Egypt's 1-1 draw against Iran, meant Belgium jumped from third to first in the group on goal difference.

Path to the knockout rounds

Belgium progress as Group 7 winners and will face a third-placed finisher from another group in the Round of 32. New Zealand exit the tournament with a single point from their three matches.