Belgium Thrash New Zealand 5-1 to Top Group G on Goal Difference
Leandro Trossard struck twice and Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku also scored as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 at BC Place in Vancouver to edge Egypt to top spot in Group G.
B elgium won Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver on June 26, finishing above Egypt on goal difference after both teams ended the group stage with five points.
Leandro Trossard put Belgium ahead in the 28th minute and added a second on the stroke of the hour. Kevin De Bruyne extended the lead in the 66th minute before Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand in the 84th minute. Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers then struck in the 86th and 90th minutes to complete a commanding victory.
Belgium's superior goal difference over Egypt, plus four compared to plus two for the Egyptians, lifted them to the top of Group G. The margin of victory proved crucial in determining which team topped the group.
Belgium advance as Group G winners. Egypt go through as runners-up. New Zealand finish with one point and are eliminated.