World Cup
Belgium clinches Group G lead as New Zealand struggle in Vancouver
Belgium secured the top spot in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dominant 5‑1 victory over New Zealand at Vancouver’s BC Place on Tuesday, with Leandro Trossard opening the scoring in the 28th minute and later adding a second after the break.
Kevin De Bruyne extended Belgium’s lead with his third goal in the 66th minute, while Romelu Lukaku, who had entered the match goalless, found the net in the 86th minute. Late on, Alexis Saelemaekers sealed the win in stoppage time as New Zealand scored a consolation six minutes from the final whistle.
During the second half Belgium dominated possession, outshooting New Zealand 18‑0 at one stage. The relentless pressure left the All Whites unable to create meaningful chances.
Belgium entered the final group match after a 1‑1 draw with Egypt and a goalless stalemate against Iran. The comprehensive win propelled the Red Devils into the knockout stage in style.
Trossard’s double and VAR’s cruel twist in Belgium’s rout of New Zealand
Jeremy Doku featured for 56 minutes, registering 19 accurate passes out of 25 and creating two clear chances. He completed two successful dribbles from three attempts and delivered a perfect cross, while his defensive contribution remained limited. His xG of 0.08 and xA of 0.48 reflected limited scoring chances but a decent creative contribution. Off the pitch, Jeremy Doku and his wife Shireen announced the birth of their son Praise Elijah on Instagram, sharing a family photo alongside his World Cup involvement. The post highlighted the personal milestone amid the tournament. He recorded 38 touches, nine of which came inside the opposition box, and registered one shot on target and one off target, giving him a 50 % shot accuracy. He recorded no tackles, blocks or interceptions, reflecting a primarily offensive role. With the group phase concluded, Belgium turns its attention to the upcoming knockout round of the World Cup.