Trossard double helps Belgium book place in knockouts

Group G

New Zealand 1-5 Belgium

Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a dominant win over New Zealand.

In a must-win game for both sides, Belgium shook off two lacklustre displays to start the tournament and showed their superiority from the first whistle in Vancouver.

Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute as New Zealand allowed a Kevin de Bruyne corner to bounce in the six-yard box, allowing the Arsenal forward to finish from close range after the ball had bounced off the back of defender Tim Payne.

Rudi Garcia’s side could have been out of sight by half-time but it was not until five minutes after the break that they got their second.

De Bruyne punched a pass into Trossard, his first shot was blocked but he volleyed the follow-up in smartly at the near post.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 66th minute when De Bruyne drilled a crisp left-foot shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

New Zealand got a goal back as Elijah Just thumped in his third goal of the tournament but Belgium’s three-goal lead was restored moments later as Romelu Lukaku headed in just 56 seconds after coming off the bench.

Another substitute, Alexis Saelemaekers, added an extra shine to the scoreline as he slotted in the fifth in injury time.

With Egypt failing to beat Iran, Belgium top Group G on goal difference and will face a third-placed team in the last 32 on Wednesday (21:00 BST).

Meanwhile, New Zealand bow out of their third World Cup after taking just one point from three games.