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NEW DELHI: Belgium produced their best performance of the FIFA World Cup so far, beating New Zealand 5-1 on Friday to book a place in the knockout stage as Group G winners.After drawing their first two matches against Egypt and Iran, Belgium responded in style with a dominant display. Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net.
Belgium finish on topBelgium went into the match needing a strong performance after collecting just two points from their opening two games.
Trossard gave Belgium the lead in the 28th minute after earlier being denied by goal-line technology. He doubled the advantage early in the second half before De Bruyne produced a stunning long-range strike in the 66th minute to put Belgium firmly in control.Lukaku added a headed goal late in the match before Saelemaekers completed the scoring in stoppage time.
New Zealand bow outNew Zealand needed a win to keep their hopes alive but could not stop Belgium's attack.Elijah Just scored in the 84th minute to give the All Whites a consolation goal, but Belgium quickly responded through Lukaku before Saelemaekers sealed the 5-1 victory.New Zealand finish their campaign without registering their first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
Belgium's knockout challengeBelgium topped Group G after Egypt and Iran played out a 1-1 draw in the other group match.
The Belgians will now face a third-placed team in the knockout round on Wednesday in Seattle. If they progress, they will meet the winner of the clash between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 16.
Milestones for BelgiumJérémy Doku returned to the starting XI after recovering from illness and rejoining the squad following the birth of his son.Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also reached a personal milestone by making his 18th FIFA World Cup appearance for Belgium, setting a new national record.
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