Belgium delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place Vancouver, securing first place in Group G and a place in the World Cup round of 32. Leandro Trossard struck twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also scored in a much sharper attacking display.

The result came after Egypt drew with Iran, which meant Belgium still required a win to remove any doubt about qualification. Rudi Garcia’s team, criticised for flat performances in the first two group fixtures, responded with a dominant showing that eased concerns about another early World Cup exit.

Belgium controlled the first half, limiting New Zealand to no attempts on goal while creating regular pressure. Trossard hit the post early, then believed a penalty had been awarded when a shot struck Finn Surman’s arm, but the referee cancelled the decision after a VAR review and restarted play.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute, when a scramble in the New Zealand area ended with Trossard smashing in from close range. Five minutes after half-time, Trossard reacted fastest to his own saved effort, hooking an acrobatic finish past Max Crocombe to make it 2-0 and underline Belgium’s superiority.

New Zealand briefly threatened a comeback when Elijah Just scored a consolation, the forward’s third World Cup goal, which also briefly knocked Belgium off top spot in the group. However, Lukaku responded almost immediately with a powerful header, restoring the three-goal cushion and steadying Belgium’s position in the standings.

There was still time for further damage. Lukaku turned creator in stoppage time, slipping the ball to Alexis Saelemaekers, who finished with the final kick. Earlier, Trossard had almost added an assist when a precise through ball sent on substitute Matias Fernandez-Pardo, but the effort went wide of the target.

Belgium vs New Zealand: Garcia responds after Iran frustration

Garcia entered the match under scrutiny after Belgium’s wasteful performance against Iran on matchday two. Belgium attempted 23 shots in that game without scoring, their highest total in a goalless World Cup outing since 1994, when 28 attempts failed to beat Saudi Arabia during the group stage.

Across their previous five World Cup fixtures, Belgium had managed only two goals, with one classified as an own goal. Against New Zealand, the attack finally clicked. Belgium produced 35 shots, their third-highest tally at a World Cup since records began in 1966, behind 40 against the United States in 2014 and 36 versus El Salvador in 1970.

Expected goals data underlined the difference in attacking threat. Belgium generated 3.65 xG compared to New Zealand’s 0.25 xG, reflecting near-total control. De Bruyne and Trossard accounted for 14 shots between them, registering seven each, as Belgium’s most experienced forwards led the response in a high-pressure situation.

Trossard’s double carried historical significance as well. At 31 years and 205 days old, the Arsenal forward became the second-oldest player to score twice in a World Cup match for Belgium. Lukaku added another landmark by becoming the country’s outright leading scorer at World Cups, moving to six goals and overtaking Marc Wilmots, who finished with five.

The performance eased tension around Garcia and restored confidence for Belgian supporters and neutral observers alike. Clinical finishing, a high shot volume and key contributions from De Bruyne, Trossard and Lukaku showed Belgium still possess significant attacking options heading into the knockout rounds and justified their position at the top of Group G.