Their tournament
how their World Cup unfoldedBelgium administered a thorough lesson in the final group game, with Trossard's brace and further goals from De Bruyne and Lukaku turning what might have been a contest into a rout — New Zealand's consolation arriving far too late, in the 84th minute, to suggest any real foothold. The All Whites finished fourth in Group G with a single point and a goals difference of minus ten, their tournament record a frank reflection of the gulf between them and the competition's established forces. They depart a World Cup that offered little comfort beyond the experience itself.
Results
Rezaeian 32′Mohebbi 64′Just 7′Just 54′
Surman 15′Zico 58′Salah 67′Trézéguet 82′
Just 84′Trossard 28′Trossard 50′Bruyne 66′Lukaku 86′Saelemaekers 90+4′
Knocked out — the road ended in the group stage this time.
Group G standings
how the group finishedGroup G
Final| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇪Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 5 | Group winner | |
| 2 | 🇪🇬Egypt | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 5 | Runner-up | |
| 3 | 🇮🇷Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +0 | 3 | Out | |
| 4 | 🇳🇿New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -6 | 1 | Out |
Squad
starting XI from Belgium at New Zealand in boldGoalkeepers
- 1Max Crocombe33
- 12Alex Paulsen24
- 22Michael Woud27
Defenders
- 2Tim Payne32
- 4Tyler Bindon21
- 13Liberato Cacace25
- 16Finn Surman22
- 3Francis de Vries31
- 5Michael Boxall38
- 15Nando Pijnaker27
- 24Callan Elliot27
- 26Tommy Smith36
Midfielders
- 6Joe Bell27
- 8Marko Stamenic24
- 10Sarpreet Singh27
- 23Ryan Thomas31
- 7Matthew Garbett24
- 14Alex Rufer30
- 20Callum McCowatt27
- 25Lachlan Bayliss24
Forwards
- 9Chris Wood34
- 11Elijah Just26
- 17Kosta Barbarouses36
- 18Ben Waine25
- 19Ben Old24
- 21Jesse Randall24