PP-Belgium book last-32 place with emphatic New Zealand win
Belgium booked their place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver, sealing top spot in Group G on goal difference.
Leandro Trossard struck twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers were also on target as the Red Devils finished level on seven points with Egypt but edged top of the group.
Egypt also progressed after drawing 1-1 with Iran in Seattle, while the Iranians ended their campaign in third place.
Belgium dominated from the outset and came within inches of an early breakthrough when Trossard's angled effort struck the inside of the post before Tyler Bindon scrambled the ball clear.
The Red Devils were then awarded a penalty after Trossard's shot appeared to strike Finn Surman's arm, but referee Adham Mohammad overturned the decision following a VAR review.
Belgium's pressure eventually told.
De Bruyne's corner caused chaos inside the six-yard box and Trossard reacted quickest to bundle the ball over the line for the opening goal.
The Arsenal forward doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half, controlling a loose ball inside the area before firing beyond Max Crocombe at his near post.
De Bruyne then capped another influential display with a composed finish in the 66th minute, a goal that lifted Belgium above Egypt and into first place on goal difference.
New Zealand briefly threatened to spoil those celebrations when Elijah Just volleyed home from the edge of the area to reduce the deficit to 3-1, a goal that temporarily dropped Belgium behind Egypt in the live standings.
The response was immediate.
Lukaku restored Belgium's three-goal cushion with his first touch less than a minute after coming off the bench, powering home a header to reclaim top spot.
Saelemaekers completed the scoring late on with a fine strike from the edge of the area as Belgium completed an emphatic victory and carried momentum into the knockout rounds.
