Belgium has advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup, finishing first in Group G following a dominant performance against New Zealand. The victory ensures Belgium’s progression, while New Zealand concludes its tournament run at the bottom of the group.
The match saw Belgium deliver a strong display, securing a win that put their earlier performances in the tournament behind them. Goals from Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers contributed to Belgium’s success. New Zealand managed to score one goal through Elijah Just.
Belgium’s commanding performance
Belgium’s offensive efforts were notable, with Trossard scoring a double. His first goal came after he controlled a bouncing ball in the penalty area, volleying it past two New Zealand defenders. The goal was confirmed after a brief VAR check. De Bruyne also found the net, rolling the ball under his foot near the D and sending it into the goal, which caused the stadium to erupt.
The team continued to press, with opportunities arising from slick passing and counter-attacks. A brilliant counter-attack originating from a corner in their own penalty area saw the ball threaded to Fernandez-Pardo, whose shot just skimmed over the crossbar. Later, a gorgeous through-ball from Fernandez-Pardo set up De Ketelaere, leading to another Belgian corner.
Substitutions in the second half also made an impact. Trossard and De Bruyne were replaced by Saelemaekers and Amadou Onana. Saelemaekers later contributed to the scoring, and Lukaku, coming on as a substitute, scored with a bullet header from a clipped cross by Raskin, who had just entered the match.
The team’s performance was in stark contrast to their initial matches, with fans expressing optimism about their chances in the knockout stages. One supporter noted the absence of some established players but felt the pressure was reduced, particularly without their former coach. Belgium will now face a third-placed team from Group A, I, or J, which could include South Korea, Senegal, or Algeria.
New Zealand’s World Cup exit
New Zealand, despite their efforts, were unable to secure a win in the tournament, finishing with one point. Head coach Darren Bazeley expressed pride in his team’s performance and work-rate, acknowledging the challenge of facing a strong Belgian side. He noted that the team had to open up the game after conceding, making several attacking changes.
Bazeley described the results as disappointing but highlighted the hard work and determination of his players. He believes the experience gained from this tournament will be valuable for the future, stating that the team will be “a lot more hardened” for the next tournament. Despite the current disappointment of not advancing, he acknowledged that the team had chances to progress.
Throughout the match, New Zealand showed moments of promise. Eli Just, for instance, made a notable run through three Belgian players, creating a scoring opportunity that was ultimately saved by Courtois. Chris Wood also had a chance after a neat interception, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Callum McCowatt attempted to latch onto a long ball in the final minutes, demonstrating New Zealand’s continued effort.
The team’s departure from their third World Cup comes after they were unable to significantly challenge their opponents in this match. The expanded 48-team World Cup format suggests that New Zealand, as the Oceania representative, is likely to participate in future tournaments.
Group G standings and other results
Belgium’s victory allowed them to climb three spots in the group standings, securing the top position. Meanwhile, Egypt advanced to the round of 32 for the first time, holding onto second place in Group G after a 1-1 draw against Iran. Iran now awaits to see if they qualify as one of the best eight third-placed teams.
The match between Egypt and Iran was closely contested, with VAR denying Iran a stoppage-time winner, keeping the score at 1-1. This result meant that Belgium’s win was crucial for their top spot, as they surpassed Egypt on goal difference. The outcome also has implications for other teams, with the Socceroos potentially facing Mohamed Salah’s team in the round of 32 if the scores remained unchanged.
The average player ratings from users showed Romelu Lukaku as the player of the match with a rating of 9.67, followed by Leandro Trossard at 8.93 and Kevin De Bruyne at 8.31.
New Zealand’s players also received ratings, with Eli Just having an average rating of 5.64.
Read Also
- Toronto: Senegal secure emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq to boost World Cup knockout hopes
- Norway face questions after resting Erling Haaland against France in World Cup 2026
- England manager defends full-back choices after Reece James injury ahead of Panama match
- Uruguay manager Bielsa reflects on World Cup exit
Source: theguardian.com
