World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
41 shots on goal.
41 shots on goal.
Belgium had 35, New Zealand 6. The record for total shots in a single World Cup match was kicked into being, shot by shot. Expected goals: 3.65 to 0.25. Translating to football language: New Zealand's entire attacking threat was roughly equivalent to one Belgium corner kick routine.
The five-goal victory was satisfying. But looking back two matches, Belgium hadn't won either of their first two group games, scoring just one goal across both. Coach Rudi Garcia was being roasted by the domestic media. He acknowledged it himself, venting after the Iran game: the tactics were fine, the possession was fine, but they were "wasteful and lacked efficiency." They controlled the ball until their palms were sweaty, but couldn't break through that final barrier.
Part of the reason the barrier held was the flanks. Against Iran, Doku was out with a respiratory infection, robbing Belgium of their only wing threat who could take on a man one-on-one. The entire attack felt like a blade without an edge. This match Doku returned, though Garcia said pre-game he wasn't ready for a full 90 and only played 56 minutes — but having that width stretched the defense, giving De Bruyne and Trossard in the center noticeably more breathing room.
Then came New Zealand.
In the 28th minute, a corner. New Zealand goalkeeper Max Croome misjudged his punch, the ball slipped to the back post, and Trossard tapped in an open goal. 1-0. It wasn't that Belgium had carved the defense open; Croome simply unlocked the door for them. But once the lock broke, everything collapsed.
Trossard scored again in the 50th minute. Four years ago in Qatar, he was just a training partner who didn't even make the final squad. This match, he bagged a brace and took home the FIFA fan-voted Man of the Match award.
De Bruyne's goal in the 66th minute snuffed out any remaining hope. New Zealand's Elijah Just stabbed home a consolation goal in the 84th minute, making the scoreline look slightly more respectable. But only for two minutes. Lukaku came off the bench and powered in a header in the 86th minute to make it 4-1. Six World Cup goals, surpassing Marc Wilmots' record of five — Belgium's all-time World Cup top scorer had a new name. A long goal drought spanning from 2018 to 2026, ended with a header.
The goal was scored, but the work wasn't done. In stoppage time, Lukaku added an assist, setting up Saelemaekers to hammer the final nail in the 5-1 coffin. Less than ten minutes on the pitch, one goal and one assist — for a striker stuck on the bench, those ten minutes were a strong job application handed directly to Garcia.
Courtois didn't waste his day either. His 18th World Cup appearance, standing alone as Belgium's all-time record holder. He had just tied Enzo Scifo's record of 17 in the second group game against Iran. At 34, this is likely his last World Cup, and every match adds another line to his resume. He made just one save all game — the opposition could barely get a shot on target.
De Bruyne posted a match photo on Instagram with four words: "Mission complete! 🙏🏼"
The mission was indeed complete. 5 points, goal difference of +4, topping Group G ahead of Egypt with the same points but only +2 GD. It was Belgium's first World Cup victory since November 2022, and the frustration bottled up for nearly four years was all unleashed on New Zealand. July 1st, Seattle, the Round of 32. Opponent: a third-place team from another group, still to be determined. Garcia was cautious in his press conference: "We're not fully into our rhythm yet, but the momentum is building." Translation: the things that didn't click in the first two games clicked in this one. Whether they'll click again in the next game? Even he isn't sure.
For New Zealand, the story is shorter. Three World Cup appearances — 1982 Spain, 2010 South Africa, 2026 North America — 9 group matches, 0 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses, 8 goals scored, 24 conceded. In 2010 in South Africa, they drew all three games, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, and went out in the group stage. Sixteen years on, the zero-win cap remains firmly in place.