Trossard strikes twice as Belgium rout New Zealand to win Group G
Leandro Trossard scored twice and Romelu Lukaku became Belgium’s all-time leading World Cup scorer as the Red Devils thumped New Zealand 5-1 to top Group G and reach the last 32.
Jun 27, 2026
Belgium saved their best for the moment they needed it most. A scratchy group campaign turned into a rout in Vancouver on June 26, where Leandro Trossard struck twice and Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings in a 5-1 win over New Zealand that carried the Red Devils into the World Cup knockout rounds as Group G winners.
The result flattered nobody. Belgium had drawn their opening two matches, a 1-1 with Egypt and a goalless stalemate with Iran, and went into the final round sitting third in the group and in real danger of an early exit. Against New Zealand they finally clicked. The All Whites, who needed a win to keep their own hopes alive, failed to register a single attempt in a one-sided first half.
Lukaku rewrites the record book
Romelu Lukaku was at the centre of it. His goal was his sixth at a World Cup, a tally that takes him past Marc Wilmots and makes him Belgium’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament. Trossard’s brace, a De Bruyne strike and a Saelemaekers finish completed the demolition, the sort of attacking display Belgium had been threatening to produce since the opening whistle of their campaign.
Elijah Just’s goal gave New Zealand a consolation, but there was little else for the All Whites to cling to. They head home still waiting for a first World Cup win, their spirited qualification never matched by results once the tournament started.
Belgium build at the right time
For Belgium, the timing could hardly be better. A team that had looked stuck in second gear for a week suddenly resembled the side many had fancied before a ball was kicked. Topping Group G sets up a round-of-32 meeting with one of the third-placed qualifiers, a softer landing than a runner-up finish might have handed them.
Whether this is a genuine turning point or a one-off flourish against limited opposition is the question now. New Zealand offered next to no resistance, so the real measure of Belgium’s revival will come against sterner opponents in the last 32. For one night, at least, the goals flowed and the doubts eased.