Belgium 5-1 New Zealand: Match Report, Highlights, Stats, Goals & Group G Standings | FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium Thrash New Zealand 5-1 to Win Group G at FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium produced a dominant attacking display to defeat New Zealand 5-1 in their final Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2026, at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
The emphatic victory secured Belgium's place in the Round of 32 as Group G winners, completing a remarkable turnaround after opening the tournament with back-to-back draws. New Zealand, meanwhile, were eliminated after finishing bottom of the group.
Belgium vs New Zealand Result
Full-Time Score: Belgium 5-1 New Zealand
Goal Scorers
Belgium
Leandro Trossard (28', 50')
Kevin De Bruyne (66')
Romelu Lukaku (86')
Alexis Saelemaekers (90+4')
New Zealand
Elijah Just (84')
Belgium vs New Zealand Match Report
Belgium entered the decisive Group G fixture under pressure after drawing against Egypt and Iran in their opening two matches. Only a convincing victory would guarantee progression to the knockout stage.
The Red Devils responded in impressive fashion, dominating possession and creating chances from the opening whistle.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute before doubling Belgium's advantage shortly after halftime with a composed finish. Midfield star Kevin De Bruyne added a spectacular long-range strike in the 66th minute to make it 3-0.
New Zealand briefly pulled a goal back through Elijah Just in the 84th minute, but Belgium immediately restored their three-goal advantage when substitute Romelu Lukaku scored with his very first touch of the match.
Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring in stoppage time as Belgium celebrated one of their biggest World Cup victories in recent years.
Belgium vs New Zealand Match Statistics
| Statistic | Belgium | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 5 | 1 |
| Ball Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Total Shots | 33 | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 10 | 2 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.69 | 0.25 |
| Corner Kicks | 8 | 5 |
| Total Passes | 522 | 401 |
| Passing Accuracy | 88% | 87% |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 1 | 5 |
| Fouls Committed | 7 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
Key Highlights
Leandro Trossard scored twice to inspire Belgium's victory.
Kevin De Bruyne controlled the midfield and added a brilliant goal.
Romelu Lukaku scored with his first touch after coming off the bench.
Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Belgium registered 33 shots and 10 efforts on target.
New Zealand managed just six shots throughout the match.
Belgium vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
This fixture was the first-ever senior international meeting between Belgium and New Zealand.
Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 1
Belgium Wins: 1
New Zealand Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Records and Milestones
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made history by becoming his country's most-capped FIFA World Cup player with his 18th tournament appearance, surpassing the previous national record.
Belgium also recorded one of the tournament's most dominant attacking performances, finishing with:
33 total shots
10 shots on target
3.69 expected goals (xG)
55% possession
Despite the heavy defeat, New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe made five important saves to keep the scoreline from becoming even more one-sided.
Updated Group G Standings
| Position | Team | MP | W-D-L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 3 | 1-2-0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| 2 | Egypt | 3 | 1-2-0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 3 | Iran | 3 | 0-3-0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 3 | 0-1-2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 1 |
What the Result Means
Belgium's convincing victory, combined with the draw between Egypt and Iran, saw the Red Devils climb to the top of Group G and qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 as group winners.
Egypt also advanced to the knockout stage as runners-up, while Iran and New Zealand were eliminated from the competition.
Belgium will now head into the knockout rounds with renewed confidence after producing their best performance of the tournament.
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Belgium vs New Zealand 5-1: Match Report, Goals, Highlights, Stats & Group G Standings | FIFA World Cup 2026
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Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to finish top of Group G. Read the full match report, goals, player stats, highlights, records, and updated standings.
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