New Zealand 1 – 5 Belgium

Leandro Trossard’s brace saw Belgium reach the World Cup’s knockout stages as group winners with a 5-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver.

After drawing their first two games, the Red Devils’ first win of the tournament leaves them top of Group G on goal difference and sets up a Round of 32 clash against the third-placed finishers from Group A/E/H/I/J at 9pm UK time in Seattle on Wednesday.

Belgium were completely dominant against New Zealand as they had 35 shots against the lowest-ranked team in the competition, who finished bottom of the group and crashed out of the World Cup.

Trossard gave Belgium a well-deserved win with a poacher finish from a corner in the 28th minute.

This Arsenal forward doubled Rudy Garcia’s lead in just five minutes of the second half.

As Egypt drew against Iran, Kevin De Bruyne’s superb low strike then put Belgium on course to win the group, only for an 84th-minute consolation goal from Motherwell’s Elijah Just to push them into the runners-up spot.

But Romelu Lukaku restored Belgium’s three-goal lead after just 64 seconds with a header.

Substitute Alexis Selmaikers then added a stoppage-time fifth as Belgium avoided consecutive group-stage exits from the World Cup.

Highlights from Vancouver

• 22: Belgium canceled the penalty! Belgium have a penalty for Surman handball as he blocked Trossard’s shot, but on a pitchside monitor VAR review, the referee overturned his decision as Surman’s hand was in a normal position.
• 28: Belgium goal! Belgium breakthrough when Trossard pounced on the corner to score the opener.
• 50: Belgium goal! Trossard’s chest and volley deservedly doubled Belgium’s lead from close range.
• 66: Belgium goal! De Bruyne hit a beautiful low arrowing strike across the goal into the bottom corner.
• 84: New Zealand goal! Just’s volleyed strike pushed Belgium to second place.
• 86: Belgium goal! Immediate impact from Lukaku as he headed home from Ruskin’s cross to restore a three-goal lead and take the Red Devils top of the group.
• 90+4: Belgium goal! The Selemakers hit hard to ensure Belgium top the group.

What does the result mean?

‘Seniors show what they can do’

Belgium boss Rudy Garcia:

“That’s what the old guys did tonight, quote-unquote. Now we haven’t won anything yet but we’re through to the next stage, but thank God we had a four-goal margin and that gave us a chance to top the group. We can’t say we’re fully into it but we’re growing into it. We’ll see who we get the momentum against in 2, but we’ll see who we get the momentum against in 2. We’ll savor this first win.

“It (referring to his squad being old) is honestly not a source of motivation. I trust my players and that’s why my team is the way it is now. I trust my leaders completely and we can only do one thing. It’s actually happening on the pitch and so the answer has happened on the pitch and I have nothing more to say.”

New Zealand boss Darren Bezeley:

“I think when you saw the draw and we knew we were playing these (Belgium) last, you probably expected them to be already on six points and maybe that worked in our favour. We needed to pick up points in the first two games and we gave ourselves the opportunity to do that and we didn’t take it.

“We tried to get back into the game, we weren’t just leaving this World Cup 2-0 down, but unfortunately we were penalized a couple of times. Most of these guys will be back in four years and they’ll be better for it, and they’ll have to be better for it if we want to get to where we all want to be, which is in those knockout games.

“They’ll definitely learn from it. It’s a great group of players who’ve got a really great future, a bright future, both individually at the club and together. They’ll definitely be better for it because it will hurt, and it should hurt because we’re at the World Cup and now we’re going home.”

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