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World Cup14 min read•

Belgium 5, New Zealand 1: Belgium clinch knockout spot as New Zealand exit World Cup

The lead

June 27, 2026 — BC Place, Vancouver, Canada — Belgium clinch knockout spot as New Zealand exit World Cup. Leandro Trossard scored a pair of goals and Belgium overcame a slow start at the World Cup to advance to the knockout round with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night.

How the match unfolded

This Group G match finished 5-1 for Belgium over New Zealand in regulation on the official ESPN match center. Belgium seized early momentum when Leandro Trossard (Belgium) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner following a corner. in the 28'. The middle phases featured 4 more goals as both sides traded blows in a tense group-stage atmosphere. The final swing came in the 90'+4' when Alexis Saelemaekers (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku following a fast break.. 52,497 fans were in the building at BC Place.

Key passages from the live ESPN commentary feed:

  • Attempt missed. Amadou Onana (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Hans Vanaken following a set piece situation.
  • Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
  • Attempt saved. Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Max Crocombe (New Zealand). Assisted by Hans Vanaken.
  • Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Max Crocombe.
  • Attempt missed. Arthur Theate (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
  • Goal! New Zealand 1, Belgium 5. Alexis Saelemaekers (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku following a fast break.
  • Second Half ends, New Zealand 1, Belgium 5.

    • Goal-by-goal

  • 28' — Belgium: Leandro Trossard (Belgium) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner following a corner.
  • 50' — Belgium: Leandro Trossard (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Hans Vanaken.
  • 66' — Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
  • 84' — New Zealand: Elijah Just (New Zealand) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal following a corner.
  • 86' — Belgium: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nicolas Raskin with a cross.
  • 90'+4' — Belgium: Alexis Saelemaekers (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku following a fast break.

    • Cards, fouls, and controversy

    Leandro Trossard scored a pair of goals and Belgium overcame a slow start at the World Cup to advance to the knockout round with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night.

    Bookings: 2 yellow cards were issued per the official match log.

    What it means in the tournament

    Belgium leave BC Place with a result that moves them forward in the 48-team bracket. In Group G, table points, goal difference, and fair-play tiebreakers all matter across the opening 72 group matches before the new Round of 32 begins.

    What comes next

    Both Belgium and New Zealand continue Group G play on the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule before the knockout stage opens June 28.

    *Sources: ESPN match center, ESPN match feed, FIFA World Cup 2026. AthX covers MLB trading; this recap is for World Cup fans following the North America tournament. Information only; not financial advice.*

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