Belgium beats New Zealand 5-1 and tops Group G; New Zealand eliminated from 2026 World Cup

Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 on 27 June 2026 in Vancouver to finish first in Group G on goal difference and advance to the World Cup knockout rounds. Leandro Trossard scored twice for Belgium. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers each added one goal while Elijah Just scored New Zealand’s only goal.

Trossard opened the scoring from close range after a De Bruyne corner. He added a second five minutes into the second half with a volley past goalkeeper Max Crocombe. De Bruyne made the score 3-0 in the 66th minute with a low finish.

Just pulled one back for New Zealand from the edge of the area. Lukaku headed in his first touch one minute after entering as a substitute in the 86th minute, Al Jazeera reported. Saelemaekers completed the scoring from outside the box.

A first-half penalty awarded to Belgium for handball by Finn Surman was overturned by VAR, Al Jazeera reported. Trossard’s earlier shot had struck the inside of the upright and was cleared off the line by Tyler Bindon. Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh officiated the match.

Egypt finished second in the group after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. Iran placed third. Belgium’s result marked the team’s first win of the 2026 World Cup. New Zealand had previously lost 3-1 to Egypt in their opening group match, The Guardian reported.

An excellent headed goal to Finn Surman in the 15th minute epitomised the All Whites’ dominant first-half display against Egypt.