Belgium moves on with victory over New Zealand

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, June 28, 2026

Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to advance to the knockout stage by topping Group G. This victory marks a strong comeback for Belgium, who will face a third-place team in the next round on Wednesday in Seattle.

Leandro Trossard scored twice to lead Belgium to a dominant 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday in Vancouver, securing the team’s advancement to the knockout stage of the tournament. Belgium’s offensive surge helped the team rebound from a slow start in the competition, ultimately allowing them to top Group G.

In addition to Trossard’s goals, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers each contributed to the scoring for Belgium. The win marks a significant turnaround for Belgium, which was eliminated in the group stage of the previous World Cup in Qatar after placing third in the 2018 tournament in Russia.

By finishing first in their group, Belgium will face a third-place finisher from another group in the knockout round, with the next match scheduled for Wednesday in Seattle. The outcome underscores Belgium’s ability to regain momentum and contend as a formidable presence in the tournament following earlier setbacks.

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