Belgium Thump New Zealand 5-1 in World Cup 2026 Group G

How it unfolded

Belgium asserted their dominance from the start, controlling possession at 55% and creating numerous chances. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute, giving the Red Devils a 1-0 lead at halftime despite New Zealand's resilient defending. The second half saw Belgium ramp up the pressure, with Trossard doubling his tally in the 50th minute. Kevin De Bruyne added a third in the 66th minute, effectively sealing the match.

The decisive moments

The turning point came early in the second half when Trossard struck again just five minutes after the restart, putting Belgium firmly in control. New Zealand briefly threatened through Elijah Just, who scored in the 84th minute to make it 3-1. However, Belgium responded immediately: Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion two minutes later, and Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time. Belgium's 34 total shots compared to New Zealand's six highlighted their dominance.

What it means

Belgium start their Group G campaign with a commanding victory, sending a strong message to their rivals. The win places them top of the group with three points, while New Zealand face an uphill battle to progress. With such a dominant performance, Belgium look like serious contenders in the tournament.