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New Zealand’s football All Whites are out of the men’s FIFA World Cup after a 1-5 defeat by Belgium in Canada.
A last-gasp header from substitute Romelu Lukaku secured Belgium top spot on a rollercoaster day of action in Group G at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with New Zealand being eliminated in the process, reports www.fifa.com.
Belgium dominated proceedings from the first whistle at venue BC Place Vancouver.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute when he nudged home from inside the six-yard box after New Zealand had failed to deal with an in-swinging corner from the left.
Belgium’s Red Devils remained in control in the second half and Trossard doubled their lead five minutes after the restart, lashing in a rebound after his first effort had been blocked, says fifa.com.
Kevin De Bruyne then swept in a sweet low strike from outside the area in the 66th minute, in the process becoming the oldest player to score for Belgium at the FIFA World Cup aged 34 years and 363 days.
New Zealand pulled a goal back courtesy of a fine strike from Elijah Just with six minutes remaining, fifa.com says.
But two minutes later Lukaku pounced to lift his side to the top of Group G on goal difference before Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in the fourth minute of time added on.
Belgium now meets the third-placed team from Group A, E, H, I or J in the round of 32 in Seattle on July 1.
In the other Group G game today in Seattle, Egypt and Iran drew 1-1 and join Belgium progressing through to the next round, reports fifa.com.
