Leandro Trossard starred with a brace as Belgium swept aside New Zealand 5-1 on Friday to finish atop Group G and secure a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with an emphatic victory.
The Red Devils ended level on five points with Egypt but claimed top spot on goal difference, while Iran finished third with three points. New Zealand’s campaign ended with just one point from three matches, extending their wait for a first-ever FIFA World Cup victory.
Belgium controlled the contest from the outset and nearly broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Trossard rattled the post. They were awarded a penalty moments later after Finn Surman appeared to handle the ball, only for VAR to overturn the decision after ruling the defender’s arm was in a natural position.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute. Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting cross found Trossard, who made no mistake from close range to give Belgium a deserved lead.
The Arsenal forward doubled the advantage five minutes after the restart, expertly bringing down another De Bruyne delivery before volleying past the goalkeeper to put Belgium firmly in control.
New Zealand briefly threatened when Elijah Just forced Thibaut Courtois into a sharp low save, but Belgium quickly restored their dominance. Trossard turned provider this time, setting up De Bruyne, whose composed finish from the edge of the area made him Belgium’s oldest-ever goalscorer at a FIFA World Cup after celebrating his 34th birthday during the tournament.
The Kiwis managed a late consolation in the 84th minute with a powerful low strike, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku headed home Belgium’s fourth before Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout in stoppage time, putting the finishing touches on another commanding performance from Domenico Tedesco’s side.
Belgium now advance to the knockout stage as Group G winners and will face one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams, while New Zealand exit the competition still searching for their maiden World Cup victory.