The Belgian team closed the group stage with a resounding victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, a result that allowed it to finish as leader of Group G with five points, ahead of Egypt.
The Red Devils dominated the match from the beginning and reflected their superiority on the scoreboard. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute and scored again in the 50th to sign a double. Kevin De Bruyne extended the lead in the 66th, while Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout in the final stretch of the match. Elijah Just scored for New Zealand in the 84th minute.
The team led by Rudi Garcia controlled possession, generated constant scoring opportunities and left behind the doubts they had shown in their first two games, both tied. The victory also allowed them to overtake Egypt in the standings thanks to a better goal difference.
New Zealand tried to react in the second half and found the discount through Elijah Just, but failed to trouble a Belgium that maintained control of the match until the final whistle.
With this result, Belgium finished as leader of Group G with five points and advanced to the round of 32, where they will face a rival yet to be defined. Egypt qualified as second in the group after tying with Iran, while the Iranian team will have to wait to find out if it advances as one of the best third parties. New Zealand was eliminated with one point.
The Belgian team will face the knockout phase with confidence after putting in its most convincing performance of the tournament, driven by an offense that regained effectiveness at the most important moment of the group stage.