Trossard hits double as Belgium thrash New Zealand to reach knockouts

New Zealand vs Belgium. FIFA World Cup Group G.

>Match report as Belgium thrash New Zealand 5-1 to reach World Cup knockouts; Leandro Trossard's double helps Red Devils earn first win of 2026 tournament; second-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers send Belgium through to round of 32 as Group G winners

>Belgium reached the World Cup knockout stages as group winners thanks to Leandro Trossard’s double in their 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in Vancouver.

>After drawing their opening two games, the Red Devils' first win of the tournament saw them top Group G on goal difference to set up a round of 32 clash against the third-place finisher from either Group A/E/H/I/J on Wednesday at 9pm UK time in Seattle.

>Belgium were utterly dominant against New Zealand as they had 35 shots against the lowest-ranked side in the competition, who have been eliminated from the World Cup after finishing bottom of the group.

>Trossard grabbed Belgium's deserved breakthrough in the 28th minute with a poacher's finish at a corner.

>The Arsenal forward then eventually doubled Rudi Garcia's side's lead just five minutes into the second half with a fine chest and volleyed finish.

>With Egypt drawing against Iran, Kevin De Bruyne's superb low strike then put Belgium on course to win Group G, only for Motherwell's Elijah Just's 84th-minute consolation goal to momentarily push them into the runners-up spot.

>But Romelu Lukaku headed in just 64 seconds after coming on to immediately restore Belgium's three-goal lead.

>Fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers then added a stoppage-time fifth as Belgium avoided consecutive group-stage World Cup exits.

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