Belgium advance to Round of 32
Belgium have secured their place in the World Cup Round of 32, finishing as Group G winners after a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand. The win, which took place in Vancouver, marked their first of the 2026 tournament following two initial draws. This result sets up a clash against a third-placed team from either Group A, E, H, I, or J on Wednesday at 9pm UK time in Seattle.
The match saw a dominant performance from Belgium, who controlled possession and registered 35 shots against their opponents. New Zealand, the lowest-ranked side in the competition, were eliminated after finishing at the bottom of their group.
Trossard and De Bruyne combine for goals
Leandro Trossard was a key figure in Belgium‘s offensive display, scoring twice. His first goal came in the 28th minute from a corner, giving Belgium a deserved breakthrough. He then doubled his tally five minutes into the second half with a chest and volleyed finish.
Trossard‘s performance earned him 17 fantasy points, making him the top scorer in the match for fantasy managers. He was consistently dangerous, with an early left-footed strike hitting the post and another effort being deflected over the crossbar. His partnership with Kevin De Bruyne was particularly effective, with the two combining for multiple scoring opportunities.
De Bruyne also made a significant impact, scoring Belgium‘s third goal with a superb low strike. He finished the match with 12 fantasy points. The midfielder’s corner led to Trossard‘s opener, and he later assisted Trossard inside the box. Their understanding on the pitch was evident, with De Bruyne curling a left-footed finish into the corner after a loose ball from Trossard.
Substitutes make an impact
Manager Rudi Garcia made several changes to the starting lineup for the match against New Zealand. Due to a suspension for Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele moved to right centre-back, allowing Arthur Theate to start on the left. Timothy Castagne replaced Thomas Meunier at right-back, and Hans Vanaken came in for Nicolas Raskin in midfield.
In attack, Jérémy Doku returned to the squad after missing the previous match, starting on the right wing, which allowed Trossard to shift to the left. Charles De Ketelaere also returned to the starting XI after recovering from injury, with Romelu Lukaku starting on the bench. Garcia had addressed Lukaku‘s fitness before kick-off, explaining the decision.
Lukaku, who came on as a substitute, quickly made his presence felt by heading in a goal just 64 seconds after entering the game, restoring Belgium‘s three-goal lead. He then turned provider, assisting fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers for Belgium‘s fifth goal. Lukaku ended the match with 11 fantasy points, sparking debate about whether his performance will earn him a starting spot in the Round of 32.
Despite Belgium‘s defensive changes, New Zealand‘s only goal came from a corner, with Elijah Just scoring after the initial delivery was parried. Belgium are now awaiting their Round of 32 opponent, with South Korea, Senegal, Algeria, or Austria being the most likely possibilities. The team heads into the knockout stage with increasing attacking rhythm and improved understanding among key forwards.
Belgium‘s manager, Rudi Garcia, expressed confidence in his team, stating, “We haven’t won anything yet but we moved on to the next phase.” He also highlighted the importance of the collective strength of the team. New Zealand‘s manager, Darren Bazeley, acknowledged the difficulty of the draw and the need for his players to improve for future tournaments.
The match also saw Doku struggle to influence the game during his 56-minute appearance, producing only two attempts on goal and two key passes. Maxim De Cuyper also came close to scoring, forcing an excellent save from the goalkeeper. Belgium will play their Round of 32 match on Wednesday, July 1.
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Source: fantasyfootballscout.co.uk
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
