Overview
- Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 on Saturday, June 27, 2026, to finish first in Group G and secure a place in the World Cup round of 16.
- Leandro Trossard scored twice, Kevin De Bruyne added a goal and a key contribution, and Romelu Lukaku also scored as Belgium overturned a shaky group start.
- Coach Rudi Garcia sharply criticised journalists for calling his senior players 'has been' and said those criticisms were reported to him from France.
- Those media attacks followed two earlier draws with Egypt and Iran that put Belgium under pressure and made the Vancouver win important for confidence.
- Belgium will play a round-of-16 match in Seattle on Wednesday and could face the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina next, while Garcia said he dreams of a 'grand exit' for his long-serving stars.