For Belgium, there is no alternative left against New Zealand

Belgium face an all-or-nothing moment against New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup, needing a victory to keep their hopes of topping Group E alive. A draw or defeat would end their tournament run, with the result to be decided in Vancouver on Saturday morning. The pressure is immense after two poor performances against Egypt and Iran, where Belgium failed to score in 406 minutes. Rudi Garcia’s side must now deliver, with Garcia himself stating: “We must be efficient today.” The coach also confirmed a substitution spot reserved for Jérémy Doku, who started despite limited training minutes. Doku’s inclusion came as a surprise, with Garcia acknowledging public demand for the winger to feature. “We assessed he was ready,” Garcia said. “We must create danger today, but I will need to make a substitution for him.” The decision reflects the mounting urgency in the Belgian camp. Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock after the break, doubling the lead with two goals in the first hour. His first came from a De Bruyne corner, while the second followed a brilliant pass from Kevin De Bruyne, who orchestrated much of Belgium’s play. Trossard’s brace leaves Belgium one goal away from securing the group win.

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Jérémy Doku, introduced in the 57th minute, offered a glimpse of his explosive potential but struggled to impact the game decisively. His direct dribbling troubled the New Zealand defence, yet his final ball rarely matched his pace. “That won’t last forever,” one reporter noted, highlighting the mounting frustration. New Zealand, chasing their first-ever knockout berth, defended resolutely but lacked cutting edge. Elijah Just received a deserved yellow card for a cynical foul on Trossard, while Marko Stamenic was booked for a reckless tackle on Tielemans. The Kiwis’ best chance fell to Chris Wood, who was denied by Courtois.

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Belgium’s defence, marshalled by Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, held firm despite early pressure. Maxime De Cuyper and Arthur Theate marshalled the backline, while Thibaut Courtois made crucial interventions. The midfield trio of Tielemans, Vanaken, and De Bruyne controlled the tempo. With the group win still mathematically possible, Belgium must now convert their dominance into goals. A single strike against New Zealand would secure top spot, while failure risks an early exit. The stakes could not be higher for Garcia’s side.