Belgium reached the World Cup knockout stages as group winners thanks to Leandro Trossard’s double in their 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in Vancouver.
After drawing their opening two games, the Red Devils’ first win of the tournament saw them top Group G on goal difference to set up a round of 32 clash against the third-place finisher from either Group A/E/H/I/J on Wednesday at 9pm UK time in Seattle.
Belgium were utterly dominant against New Zealand as they had 35 shots against the lowest-ranked side in the competition, who have been eliminated from the World Cup after finishing bottom of the group.
Kevin De Bruyne hit Belgium’s third
Trossard grabbed Belgium’s deserved breakthrough in the 28th minute with a poacher’s finish at a corner.
The Arsenal forward then eventually doubled Rudi Garcia’s side’s lead just five minutes into the second half with a fine chest and volleyed finish.
With Egypt drawing against Iran, Kevin De Bruyne’s superb low strike then put Belgium on course to win Group G, only for Motherwell’s Elijah Just’s 84th-minute consolation goal to momentarily push them into the runners-up spot.
But Romelu Lukaku headed in just 64 seconds after coming on to immediately restore Belgium’s three-goal lead.
Fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers then added a stoppage-time fifth as Belgium avoided consecutive group-stage World Cup exits.
