Belgium booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice as the Red Devils topped Group G on goal difference after Egypt failed to beat Iran.
Needing a win to keep their tournament alive, Belgium produced their most convincing display of the competition in Vancouver, dominating from the opening whistle and finally finding the clinical edge that had been missing in their first two group matches.
Trossard broke the deadlock in the 28th minute after New Zealand failed to deal with a Kevin De Bruyne corner, allowing the Arsenal forward to convert from close range after the ball ricocheted off defender Tim Payne.
Belgium continued to create chances and doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when Trossard reacted quickest after his initial effort was blocked, scoring a volley at the near post for his second goal of the night.
De Bruyne then added a goal of his own in the 66th minute, firing a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards to put the result beyond doubt.
New Zealand briefly threatened a comeback when Elijah Just, scored his third goal of the tournament, but Belgium responded immediately. Substitute Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion just 56 seconds after coming off the bench, heading home to make it 4-1.
Another substitute, Alexis Saelemaekers, completed the rout in stoppage time with Belgium’s fifth goal.
The victory, combined with Egypt’s failure to defeat Iran, lifted Belgium to the top of Group G and into the knockout stage, where they will face a third-placed team in Seattle on Wednesday. As it stands, South Korea are their most likely opponents.
For New Zealand, the defeat brings their World Cup campaign to an end, with the All Whites finishing bottom of the group after collecting just one point from three matches.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
Follow us on:
