Trossard brace fires Belgium top of Group G with 5-1 win over New Zealand
Synopsis
Leandro Trossard's double and a record-breaking Kevin De Bruyne strike sent Belgium through as Group G winners with a 5-1 demolition of New Zealand in Vancouver. De Bruyne, who turned 34 during the tournament, became the oldest Belgian to score at a FIFA World Cup — a personal milestone wrapped inside a dominant team performance.
Key Takeaways
Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver on 27 June to finish top of FIFA World Cup Group G .
Leandro Trossard scored twice and assisted Kevin De Bruyne's goal, who became the oldest ever Belgian scorer at a FIFA World Cup at age 34 .
Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers added late goals as substitutes to complete the rout.
Belgium and Egypt both finished on five points ; Belgium advanced on superior goal difference.
New Zealand exited with one point , still without a first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
Belgium advance to the Round of 32 , where they face one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Leandro Trossard scored twice and set up another as Belgium dismantled New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver on 27 June to finish top of FIFA World Cup Group G and advance to the Round of 32. The Red Devils' commanding victory, combined with Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran, confirmed both Belgium and Egypt in the next stage, while New Zealand bowed out with just a single point from three matches.
How the Match Unfolded
Belgium controlled the game almost from kick-off, with Trossard nearly opening the scoring in the 11th minute by striking the post. A penalty was awarded shortly after when Finn Surman appeared to handle Trossard's effort, but a VAR review overturned the decision, with the referee ruling the defender's arm was in a natural position.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, when a sweeping team move ended with Trossard tapping home a teasing cross from Kevin De Bruyne. The Arsenal forward doubled the lead just five minutes into the second half, chesting down another De Bruyne delivery and volleying home from close range.
De Bruyne Makes History
Kevin De Bruyne then got on the scoresheet himself, converting a Trossard lay-off with a low finish into the far corner from the edge of the area. In doing so, the midfielder — who turned 34 during this tournament — became the oldest ever goal scorer for Belgium at a FIFA World Cup, underlining his enduring influence at the highest level.
New Zealand's Brief Fightback and Belgium's Finish
New Zealand's goalkeeper Elijah had earlier forced Thibaut Courtois into a decent low save, but the All Whites' only real reward came in the 84th minute through a powerful low strike that briefly made it 3-1. Belgium's substitutes had the final say: Romelu Lukaku added a header for the fourth, and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout with a fifth in injury time.
Group G Final Standings and What's Next
Both Belgium and Egypt finished on five points, with Belgium topping the group on goal difference. Iran ended third on three points, while New Zealand finished bottom with one point — still awaiting their first-ever FIFA World Cup win. Belgium now face one of the eight best third-placed teams in the Round of 32, entering that stage as one of the tournament's more convincing group-stage performers.
Point of View
But the performance itself carries genuine substance. Trossard's movement and finishing, combined with De Bruyne's creative authority at 34, suggest a side that has matured tactically since their near-miss at the 2018 World Cup. The real question is whether this Belgium can sustain that intensity against knockout-round opposition with far more to offer than New Zealand did. For New Zealand, the wait for a first World Cup win grows longer — and the gap between emerging football nations and established European sides remains stubbornly wide despite expanded tournament formats designed to close it.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Belgium and New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup?
Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver on 27 June at the FIFA World Cup. Goals came from Leandro Trossard (two), Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers.
How did Belgium qualify from Group G?
Belgium finished top of Group G on goal difference after both Belgium and Egypt ended on five points. Belgium's 5-1 win over New Zealand gave them the superior goal difference to claim top spot.
What record did Kevin De Bruyne set against New Zealand?
Kevin De Bruyne became the oldest player ever to score for Belgium at a FIFA World Cup, having turned 34 during the tournament. He scored with a low finish from the edge of the area after a Trossard lay-off.
Who else scored for Belgium against New Zealand?
Leandro Trossard scored twice, Kevin De Bruyne added a third, and substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the 5-1 victory with a header and an injury-time strike respectively.
What happens to Belgium and New Zealand after Group G?
Belgium advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, where they will face one of the eight best third-placed teams. New Zealand are eliminated from the tournament, finishing bottom of Group G with one point and still without a first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
