Belgium advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds as Group G winners after dismantling New Zealand 5-1 at BC Place in Vancouver, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice to lead the Red Devils to their first victory of the tournament.

The result was decisive for a Belgian side that had stumbled through two successive draws in the group stage. Finishing top on goal difference, Belgium will face the third-placed finisher from one of Groups A, E, H, I, or J in Seattle on Wednesday.

Trossard sets the tone

Belgium broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Trossard seized on a corner-kick situation to finish from close range. The Arsenal forward struck again just five minutes after the restart, this time controlling the ball on his chest before firing a superb volley into the net.

Kevin De Bruyne extended Belgium's advantage with a precise low shot in the 66th minute, a goal that — combined with Egypt's draw against Iran — appeared to put Belgium on course to top the group.

Late drama before Belgium pull clear

New Zealand briefly disrupted Belgium's evening when Elijah Just, of Motherwell, pulled one back in the 84th minute. That consolation temporarily pushed Belgium down to second place in Group G on goal difference. The Red Devils responded emphatically just 64 seconds after Romelu Lukaku's introduction from the bench — the striker heading home to immediately restore a three-goal cushion.

Fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time to complete the rout, ensuring Belgium avoided a second consecutive group-stage elimination at a World Cup.

New Zealand eliminated

For New Zealand, the defeat confirmed their exit from the competition. As the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, they finish bottom of Group G having conceded heavily across their three matches. Belgium, meanwhile, return to winning ways on the global stage with a statement performance — 35 shots registered against an outclassed opponent.