Image: from New Straits Times X @NST_Online
By Open Chronicle
VANCOUVER, Canada, June 26, 2026, Belgium booked its place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Group G winners after an emphatic 5,1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place on Friday, while the result also confirmed Senegal’s progression as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
After drawing their opening two matches, Belgium produced their most convincing display of the tournament, finishing with five points and a superior goal difference over Egypt, who also qualified after drawing 1,1 with Iran.
Trossard leads Belgian rout
Leandro Trossard was the star of the evening, scoring twice to put Belgium firmly in control.
The Arsenal forward opened the scoring in the 28th minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball following a Kevin De Bruyne corner. He doubled the lead five minutes into the second half after chesting down a rebound before calmly finishing.
Belgium continued to dominate possession and chances throughout the match, with Kevin De Bruyne finally getting on the scoresheet in the 66th minute after several earlier attempts had been blocked by the New Zealand defense.
Lukaku seals top spot
New Zealand briefly threatened to complicate Belgium’s evening when Elijah Just pulled a goal back in the 84th minute after capitalizing on a rebound.
At that moment, Belgium temporarily slipped behind Egypt on goal difference.
However, substitute Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion just two minutes later, heading home from an Alexis Saelemaekers cross. Deep into stoppage time, Lukaku returned the favor by setting up Saelemaekers, who completed the scoring to secure Belgium’s place at the top of Group G.
Egypt also advances
Belgium finished the group with five points and a goal difference of plus four, edging Egypt, who also collected five points but finished with an inferior goal difference after their 1,1 draw against Iran.
Egypt had taken an early lead through Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute before Ramin Rezaeian equalized for Iran nine minutes later.
Senegal benefits from Iran’s result
Iran’s third-place finish on three points ultimately confirmed Senegal’s qualification as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
The African side had earlier boosted its chances with a commanding 5,0 victory over Iraq in Group I and now officially advances to the knockout stage.
New Zealand exits again in the group stage
New Zealand’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment once more, with the Oceania nation eliminated in the group stage for the third time in three tournament appearances.
Despite Elijah Just scoring the team’s third goal of the competition, the All Whites were unable to match Belgium’s quality across 90 minutes and finished their campaign without reaching the knockout rounds.
Belgium now heads into the Round of 32 with renewed confidence after a dominant attacking display that showcased the depth and experience of Rudi Garcia’s squad.