sports
Belgium defeats New Zealand 5-1 to top World Cup group
Belgium secured first place in Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand. Egypt finished second after drawing 1-1 with Iran in the other match played at the same time.
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Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 on Friday to finish first in Group G at the World Cup. Leandro Trossard scored twice and Kevin de Bruyne added a goal by the 66th minute. Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers scored late goals after Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand in the 84th minute.
Belgium outshot New Zealand 35-6 and recorded 3.65 expected goals to New Zealand's 0.25. The result allowed Belgium to overtake Egypt on goal difference. Egypt entered the day in first place with four points and earned one more point from its 1-1 draw with Iran.
Group standings and next matches Belgium and Egypt advance as the top two teams from the group. Iran finished with three points from three draws and must wait for the conclusion of Saturday's matches to determine whether it advances. Belgium is scheduled to face the third-place team from Group A on Wednesday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Egypt will play the runner-up from Group D on July 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Potential round of 16 matchup The results position Belgium to meet the team that finishes second in its round of 32 group, should both advance. That opponent is scheduled to face a World Cup newcomer on Wednesday at Levi's Stadium. The two sides last met in a World Cup round of 16 match in 2014 and also played each other at the 1930 tournament.
