Belgium stormed into the FIFA World Cup last 32 with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand, as Leandro Trossard scored twice to inspire the Red Devils to the top of Group G on goal difference after Egypt were held by Iran.
Needing victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive, Belgium produced their most dominant display of the tournament in Vancouver, controlling the contest from start to finish and finally converting their superiority into goals.
Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute after New Zealand failed to clear a Kevin De Bruyne corner.
The Arsenal forward reacted quickest to a loose ball that ricocheted off defender Tim Payne before finishing from close range.
Belgium doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half when Trossard pounced on the rebound from his blocked effort to volley home at the near post for his second goal of the match.
Captain Kevin De Bruyne then put the result beyond doubt in the 66th minute, curling a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
New Zealand briefly reduced the deficit through Elijah Just, who netted his third goal of the tournament, but Belgium responded almost instantly.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion just 56 seconds after coming on, heading home Belgium’s fourth goal before fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout with a stoppage-time strike.
The emphatic victory, coupled with Egypt’s failure to beat Iran, saw Belgium finish top of Group G and secure a place in the knockout stage, where they will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in Seattle on Wednesday.
South Korea are currently the most likely opponents.
For New Zealand, the defeat ended their World Cup campaign, with the All Whites finishing bottom of the group after managing just one point from three matches.
