Belgium secured first place in Group G at the 2026 World Cup with a decisive 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night in Vancouver. After a slow start to the tournament with draws against Egypt and Iran, the Belgian team found their rhythm behind a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, complemented by strikes from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers.

The win guaranteed Belgium’s advancement to the knockout stage, where they will face the third-place finisher from another group in a round of 32 match scheduled for Wednesday in Seattle. Belgium’s coach, Rudi Garcia, emphasized the team’s focus on the immediate challenge ahead rather than looking beyond their next opponent. The result also means Belgium will benefit from minimal travel for the knockout round, as their training base is in Seattle.

In a match that saw Belgium dominate early on, Trossard nearly opened the scoring with a shot that hit the post and was cleared off the line by New Zealand’s Tyler Binden. An initial penalty awarded to Belgium after Trossard’s shot appeared to hit New Zealand defender Finn Surman’s hand was overturned following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, which ruled the arm to be in a natural position.

Belgium eventually broke through in the 28th minute when Trossard capitalized on a scramble inside the box, scoring from close range. This was Belgium’s first World Cup goal since 2022, as their previous goal in this tournament came from an own goal by Egypt. Early in the second half, Trossard doubled his tally by volleying a rebound past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe.

De Bruyne extended Belgium’s lead with a well-placed shot from outside the box in the 66th minute, a goal that helped secure Belgium's top position over Egypt, who finished second on goal difference after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. New Zealand’s Elijah Just scored a late consolation goal in the 84th minute, preventing a shutout. However, Lukaku quickly responded with a header in the 86th minute, followed by a stoppage-time goal from Saelemaekers, sealing the comprehensive victory.

New Zealand entered the match needing a win to have a chance at progressing but will leave the tournament without a victory. The All Whites, who had never won a World Cup match before, head home after finishing last in Group G with just one goal scored.

Belgium now awaits to learn the identity of their knockout round opponent, potentially facing the winner of the match between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 16, should they advance from their next fixture.