Belgium save their best for last in dominant win over New Zealand to top group

[p]Both sides came into their final group game knowing that three points would seal a spot in the knockouts, although the onus was firmly on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a], who were desperate to avoid back-to-back group stage eliminations at the WC.[/p][p]As such, it was no surprise to see the Red Devils pushing for an early breakthrough, which almost arrived through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/trossard-leandro/xUAbnjp2/"]Leandro Trossard[/a], who flashed a close-range strike onto the inside of the post, only to see it cleared off the line by a well-placed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bindon-tyler/6H76cPi2/"]Tyler Bindon[/a].[/p][p]Undeterred, Belgium’s pressure looked to have paid off when referee Adham Makhadmeh pointed to the spot after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/surman-finn/vw2VBzE5/"]Finn Surman[/a] handled Trossard’s shot, but the defender’s hand was ultimately adjudged to be in a natural position as the penalty was overturned.[/p][image alt="Match Stats" id="18519444-e8f9-4f06-9f2b-cf21730e294a" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="ea3eed2b-6f8d-4da4-9953-8bfd0be14a59" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]However, Belgian frustration didn’t last long, as soon after the first hydration break, the ever-involved Trossard capitalised on some unconvincing defending from a corner, lashing home the breakthrough from point-blank range.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand/rLctHkpU/"]New Zealand[/a] had netted the opener in each of their first two Group G encounters, yet they rarely threatened [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/courtois-thibaut/MVExOq3n/"]Thibaut Courtois[/a]’ goal in the first half of his record-breaking 18th WC game for his country.[/p][p]And as the lowest-ranked nation heading into the tournament (85th), it was perhaps no surprise to see Darren Bazeley’s side fall further behind after the restart, unable to prevent Trossard from bagging a brace with a well-taken volley on the rebound following some neat footwork. [/p][p]Looking to overtake group leaders [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a] on GD, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-bruyne-kevin/MsPs6OI5/"]Kevin De Bruyne[/a] then buried a low strike beyond the reach of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/crocombe-max/xSeBjmIu/"]Max Crocombe[/a], putting the points beyond doubt.[/p][p]With time ticking away, Elijah Just netted a consolation for New Zealand, burying a controlled finish for his third goal of the tournament.[/p][image alt="Momentum" id="fa46e202-2ab7-4654-8c84-766b3438e197" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="08e80ecd-0727-4ea8-9e03-714947ff143d" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]But Belgium ultimately had the last laugh as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lukaku-romelu/dCkG0Iw0/"]Romelu Lukaku[/a] responded immediately by heading in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/raskin-nicolas/xxLZVXdU/"]Nicolas Raskin[/a]’s cross to become his nation’s all-time WC top scorer (6), and fellow substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saelemaekers-alexis/n5cPVwks/"]Alexis Saelemaekers[/a] guided in his side’s fifth goal of the night.[/p][p]An assured victory sees Belgium take top spot in the group, with a 16-game unbeaten run sure to provide some positivity (W10, D6). It was always going to be a tall order for New Zealand, who last defeated a European side in 2010 (D4, L14) and have now lost 11 of their last 14 games (W1, D2).[/p][p]The OFC representatives draw level with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/honduras/fP8cJrsS/"]Honduras[/a] as the side to have played the most WC finals games without winning (D4, L5), finishing bottom of the group with one point as a result. [/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/trossard-leandro/xUAbnjp2/"]Leandro Trossard[/a] (Belgium)[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/new-zealand-rLctHkpU/summary/stats/?mid=jwT97ZAb"]Catch up on the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]