Lukaku, De Bruyne send Belgium to World Cup 2026 round of 32
Canada: Stars Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne score, help Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1, reach round of 32 as Group G leaders.
Belgium drew Egypt 1-1, Iran 0-0, needed win against New Zealand in final match at BC Place, Canada to top group. European team struggled due to blunt attack. Drew Egypt via Mohamed Hany own goal, failed to score against Iran despite 23 shots.
Since World Cup 2022, Belgium scored only two goals in five matches, including one own goal. Took 73 shots, only one from open play, when Michy Batshuayi scored against Canada in 2022.
Romelu Lukaku (right) celebrates goal with Kevin De Bruyne in Belgium 5-1 win over New Zealand, final match Group G World Cup 2026 at BC Place, Canada, June 26, 2026. Photo: Reuters
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Issues remained clear in first half against New Zealand. Minute 11, Leandro Trossard shot left-footed across goal, hit post, rolled along goal line before clearance.
Minutes later, Arsenal forward hit opponent defender hand, seemed to win penalty. However, after VAR review, referee Adham Makhadmeh ruled hand in natural position, reversed decision.
*Trossard opens scoring for Belgium.
Pressure relieved in 28th minute. Trossard capitalized on loose ball in box, finished close range to open scoring. Early second half, 31-year-old forward completed brace with another chance. Right-foot shot deflected off New Zealand player, controlled with chest, shot into near corner, making it 2-0.
Belgium kept pressure, found third goal in 66th minute. De Bruyne shot from outside box into bottom left corner, Crocombe dived fully but could not save. Former Chelsea and Man City midfielder scored in fourth World Cup, first goal since long-range strike against Brazil in 2018 quarterfinals.
*New Zealand scores to reduce deficit.
New Zealand fought back, reduced deficit via Elijah Just volley into roof of net. But Belgium left Canada with big win thanks to Romelu Lukaku. Substitute striker headed to restore three-goal lead in 86th minute, assisted Alexis Saelemaekers to seal 5-1 win in fourth minute of stoppage time.
With 5-1 win, Belgium top Group G, face third-placed team from Group A, I, or J in round of 32. Match at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington at 3:00 on July 2, Hanoi time. If they win, Belgium face USA or Bosnia in round of 16 on July 6.
*Lukaku makes it 4-1.
Convincing win over New Zealand secured top spot for Belgium, opened favorable bracket. Clear opportunity for current "Red Devils" generation to go deep in World Cup 2026, target first historic title.
Belgium - with golden generation of Eden Hazard, De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco, previously Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele - came close to glory many times but stopped with regret. This journey not just new campaign, but chance for Belgian football to write different end to unfinished dream.
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