Belgium booked their place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over New Zealand, producing one of their most complete performances of the tournament to secure progression to the knockout stage.
The Red Devils combined attacking quality with clinical finishing to overpower the Oceania champions, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice before Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku completed an emphatic win that confirmed Belgium’s place among the tournament’s final 32 teams.
After a composed opening spell, Belgium broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Trossard found space inside the penalty area and calmly finished to give Rudi Garcia’s side a deserved lead.
The Arsenal forward continued his outstanding display shortly after the restart, doubling Belgium’s advantage in the 50th minute with another composed finish to register his first FIFA World Cup brace.
In doing so, Trossard became the first Belgian player to score two goals in a World Cup match since Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku achieved the feat during Belgium’s memorable run to the semi-finals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Belgium’s dominance continued as captain Kevin De Bruyne added a third goal in the 66th minute, capping another influential performance from one of the tournament’s most experienced playmakers. The Manchester City legend dictated the tempo throughout the contest, combining creativity with his trademark composure in possession as Belgium tightened their grip on qualification.
New Zealand briefly gave their travelling supporters something to celebrate when Elijah Just pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, but any hopes of a late comeback were quickly extinguished.
Just two minutes later, substitute Romelu Lukaku restored Belgium’s three-goal cushion with a clinical finish, underlining the depth of attacking quality available to the Red Devils and sealing an impressive 4-1 victory.
The result ensures Belgium advance to the knockout rounds with growing momentum after an encouraging group-stage campaign that has seen the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists steadily improve with each outing.
For head coach Rudi Garcia, the performance offered further evidence that his experienced core remains capable of competing with the world’s best while benefiting from the emergence of a new generation of Belgian talent. Trossard’s clinical display, De Bruyne’s leadership and Lukaku’s impact from the bench illustrated the balance that has made Belgium one of Europe’s most dangerous sides.
Attention now turns to the knockout stage, where Belgium will seek to build on an increasingly convincing campaign. Having rediscovered their attacking fluency at exactly the right time, the Red Devils will believe they possess the experience, depth and firepower required to mount a serious challenge for the biggest prize in world football.
With Trossard delivering his finest performance on the World Cup stage, De Bruyne continuing to orchestrate from midfield and Lukaku adding another goal to his illustrious international record, Belgium enter the Round of 32 full of confidence and determined to extend their pursuit of a first FIFA World Cup title.
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