New ZealandvsBelgium

Result

Belgium finally found their ruthless streak, overwhelming New Zealand 5-1 with a 35-shot barrage to win Group G. Leandro Trossard struck twice either side of half-time and Kevin De Bruyne added a third before Elijah Just pulled one back; substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout late on. The All Whites bow out bottom of the group, while Belgium top it and march into the round of 32.

New Zealand 4-2-3-14-2-3-1 Belgium

New Zealand

Belgium

Elijah Just84'

Leandro Trossard28'

Leandro Trossard50'

Kevin De Bruyne66'

Romelu Lukaku86'

Alexis Saelemaekers90'+4'

Marko Stamenic46'

Elijah Just56'

46%Possession54%

6Shots35

2On target10

5Saves1

5Corners8

369Passes completed462

85%Pass accuracy88%

10Tackles13

6Touches in box79

Substitutions

Ben Oldfor Ryan Thomasat 45'

Matias Fernandez-Pardofor Jérémy Dokuat 56'

Jesse Randallfor Sarpreet Singhat 45'

Alexis Saelemaekersfor Leandro Trossardat 72'

Michael Boxallfor Tim Payneat 64'

Amadou Onanafor Kevin De Bruyneat 72'

Callum McCowattfor Joe Bellat 64'

Romelu Lukakufor Charles De Ketelaereat 85'

Francis de Vriesfor Liberato Cacaceat 79'

Nicolas Raskinfor Youri Tielemansat 85'

At this Stage

It took Belgium until Group G's final night to look like Belgium, and the timing was immaculate. The 5-1 in Vancouver — Trossard twice, De Bruyne a third, Lukaku and Saelemaekers finishing the job from the bench — turned two frustrating draws into first place: five points and a +4 goal difference that edges Egypt's +2 on the same total, Egypt having drawn 1-1 with IR Iran in Seattle to take second. Both advance to the round of 32. Iran finish third and unbeaten — three draws, three points — and join the queue for a best-third place that other groups will grant or deny. New Zealand exit bottom on one point, Elijah Just's consolation keeping them swinging to the end. For a side that had scored once all group, five in a night was both a group title and a closing argument.

Group G

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Belgium	3	1	2	0	+4	5
Egypt	3	1	2	0	+2	5
IR Iran	3	0	3	0	+0	3
New Zealand	3	0	1	2	-6	1

Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Belgium to win narrowly. New Zealand are organised and dangerous from set pieces, but they need more than resistance after taking one point from two matches. Belgium have drawn twice and must sharpen the attack, yet the De Bruyne-Trossard-Lukaku axis is the best unit on the pitch. Expect stress, but Belgium should find the one or two moments they need. 2-1 Belgium.

Both cases written 2026-06-25, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 29% belongs to the draw.