Belgium Defeats New Zealand 5-1 to Finish First in Group G

Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 on June 27 in Vancouver to finish first in Group G at the 2026 World Cup on goal difference and advance to the knockout rounds. Leandro Trossard scored twice for Belgium. He opened the scoring from close range after a Kevin De Bruyne corner and 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. Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand from the edge of the area. Romelu Lukaku headed in his first touch one minute after entering as a substitute in the 86th minute, Al Jazeera reported.

Alexis 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 struck the inside of the upright and was cleared off the line by Tyler Bindon.

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh officiated the match. Belgium’s result marked the team’s first win of the 2026 World Cup. Egypt finished second in Group G after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. Iran placed third.

New Zealand finished third in the group and was eliminated. New Zealand had previously lost 3-1 to Egypt in their opening group match, The Guardian reported. Finn Surman scored a headed goal in the 15th minute against Egypt.

South Korea were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup group stage on June 27.