Trossard, De Bruyne send Belgium to World Cup 2026 Round of 32
Canada - Leandro Trossard brace, goals from Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne help Belgium crush New Zealand 5-1, reach Round of 32 as Group G leaders at World Cup 2026.
Belgium disappoint in first two rounds, draw Egypt 1-1, Iran 0-0. Must beat New Zealand in final match at BC Place. European team struggle due to weak attack. Get only one point against Egypt from Mohamed Hany own goal. Fail to score against Iran despite 23 shots.
Since World Cup 2022, Belgium score only two goals in five matches, including one own goal. Take 73 shots but score only once from open play, when Michy Batshuayi score against Canada in 2022.
Romelu Lukaku (right) celebrate goal with Kevin De Bruyne in Belgium 5-1 win over New Zealand, final Group G match, World Cup 2026 at BC Place, Canada, June 26, 2026. Photo: Reuters
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Issues persist in first half against New Zealand. Minute 11, Leandro Trossard shoot left-foot across goal. Ball hit post, roll along goal line, cleared just in time.
Minutes later, Arsenal forward hit opponent defender hand with ball, look like penalty. However, after VAR review, referee Adham Makhadmeh rule hand in natural position, cancel penalty.
Pressure ease in minute 28. Trossard seize loose ball in box, score close-range opener. Early second half, 31-year-old forward complete brace. Right-foot shot deflect off New Zealand player, chest control, shoot near post for 2-0.
*Trossard open score for Belgium.
Belgium keep pressure, find third goal in minute 66. De Bruyne shoot from outside box, ball fly into bottom left corner. Crocombe dive fully, cannot save. Former Chelsea and Man City midfielder score in fourth World Cup, first goal since long-range strike against Brazil in 2018 quarterfinals.
New Zealand fight back, reduce deficit with Elijah Just volley into roof of net. But Belgium leave Canada with big win thanks to Romelu Lukaku. Substitute striker head home to restore three-goal lead in minute 86, then assist Alexis Saelemaekers to seal 5-1 win in fourth minute of stoppage time.
*New Zealand score to reduce deficit.
With 5-1 win, Belgium top Group G, face third-place team from Group A, I, or J in Round of 32. Match play at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, 3:00 AM July 2, Hanoi time. If win, Belgium face US or Bosnia in Round of 16 on July 6.
Convincing win against New Zealand secure top spot, open favorable bracket. Clear chance for "Red Devils" current generation to go deep in World Cup 2026, target first-ever title.
*Lukaku make it 4-1.
Belgium - with golden generation of Eden Hazard, De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco, previously Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele - close to glory many times but fail regretfully. This campaign not just new tournament, but chance to write different end for unfinished dream.
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