Belgium secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday. The win lifted the Red Devils to the top of Group G, ensuring their progression to the round of 32 despite a sluggish start to the tournament.
Goals from Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers sealed the emphatic result. Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute with an instinctive finish from a corner, then volleyed home a second early in the second half. De Bruyne added a third with a low, left-footed strike from outside the box, before Lukaku nodded in a fourth and Saelemaekers rounded off the scoring with a fifth.
Belgium had drawn their first two group matches—a 1-1 stalemate against Egypt in Seattle and a goalless encounter with Iran—leaving them needing a win to guarantee progress. The victory over New Zealand, who exit the tournament with just one point, ensured Belgium finished top of the group with five points.
Iran's Fate Hangs in the Balance
Iran, who drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final group game, now face an anxious wait to see if they will advance. Their progression depends on results in Groups J, K, and L, where third-place finishers could overtake them on points or goal difference. Egypt, as Group G runners-up, will face Australia in Dallas in the next round.
Belgium, meanwhile, will meet a third-place finisher from one of Groups A, E, H, I, or J in Seattle next week. The draw for the knockout stage is yet to be finalized, but the Red Devils will be confident after their dominant performance.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Uruguay's campaign ended after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara. The result eliminated the South American side, who had hoped to progress from a competitive group.
Belgium's strong showing comes amid a broader context of European football success, with several teams already through to the knockout rounds. The continent's depth was highlighted by Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland dominating headlines as the tournament's top performers.
For Belgium, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum. The team's blend of experienced stars like De Bruyne and Lukaku, alongside emerging talents like Trossard, has made them a formidable force. Their next match will be a test of their ability to handle pressure in the knockout stage.
Iran's wait, meanwhile, underscores the unpredictability of the World Cup. The team's defensive resilience—evident in their goalless draw with Belgium—may not be enough if other results do not go their way. The outcome will be known after the final group matches are completed.
