Belgium delivered a dominant second-half display to overwhelm New Zealand 5-1 at BC Place and finish top of Group G, setting up a round-of-32 tie against a third-placed team on Wednesday in Seattle.

Leandro Trossard opened Belgium’s scoring and later added a second to complete his brace, while Kevin De Bruyne struck to extend the lead before Romelu Lukaku and late substitute Alexis Saelemaekers added gloss to the scoreline.

New Zealand’s only goal came from Elijah Just, but the All Whites needed a win to stay alive and will return home without a first World Cup victory after group-stage elimination.

How the game unfolded

Belgium, coming into the match with only two draws from their first two Group G fixtures, struggled early but grew into the game and exploded after halftime to secure qualification.

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Trossard’s movement and finishing were central to Belgium’s attacking threat; his two-goal performance pushed Belgium clear in the group and underlined his importance on the left flank.

De Bruyne’s trademark set-piece and late control in midfield helped turn possession into chances, while Lukaku provided the focal point up front and Saelemaekers added a stoppage-time finish to complete the rout.

What it means for both teams

Belgium will now face a third-placed side in the first knockout round in Seattle, having recovered from a slow start in the group stage to avoid a repeat of their Qatar 2022 group-stage exit.

New Zealand exit the tournament without a win; despite spirited moments earlier in the competition, the All Whites could not convert opportunities when it mattered most and will head home after a single goal in the match.

Key stats and context

Final score: Belgium 5, New Zealand 1; Belgium finish top of Group G and advance to the round of 32.

Trossard: two goals; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Saelemaekers: one each; Elijah Just: New Zealand’s scorer.

Venue: BC Place, Vancouver; the result came as Egypt and Iran drew 1-1 in the other simultaneous Group G match, which confirmed Belgium’s top-spot finish.