New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup journey came to an end after a 5-1 demolition from Belgium left them bottom of Group G.
Elijah Just’s late consolation gave New Zealand a moment to remember but goals from Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers gave Belgium their biggest ever win at a FIFA World Cup.
New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley made two changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Egypt in their second group match; Ryan Thomas and Tyler Bindon came in for Callum McCowatt and Michael Boxall. It was Bindon who repaid the faith of his manager when, amidst an early Belgian onslaught, he reacted quickly to clear Leandro Trossard’s strike off the line.
Trossard threatened again when, after 20 minutes, the referee awarded a penalty for handball as the ball struck the elbow of Finn Surman. But VAR stepped in, sent referee Adham Makhadmeh to the screen, and he overturned his decision and sent the players to the hydration break with the deadlock intact.
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Moments after the restart the inevitable breaking of the dam arrived. Kevin De Bruyne swung his corner toward the back post where it bounced off the back of a scrambling Tim Payne and it was Trossard again who dipped away from his marker to poke it up into the New Zealand net.
The Kiwis tried to wrestle their way back into the game and managed to see some more of the ball after going behind but Belgium’s threat never waned and five minutes into the second half they doubled their lead. Trossard twisted and shot inside the box and when the ball bounced back up to him he brought it down with his chest and volleyed it sharply past Max Crocombe.
Belgium advanced through Trossard after 65 minutes and a crowd of white shirts sat and watched as his pass found De Bruyne and he laced it beyond Crocombe to make it 3-0. As was fitting for a goal that so clearly highlighted the gap between the teams, it was also the goal that moved Belgium to the top of the group on goal difference.
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With less than 10 minutes to play Elijah Just gave the travelling Kiwis a moment to remember when the ball fell to him just outside the area. He took a touch and rifled his volley beyond Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.
Just’s goal will keep its place in New Zealand’s football folklore but its inconsequence in the tournament was hammered home by Romelu Lukaku when, just 56 seconds after his introduction, he headed home Belgium’s fourth. Then, Alexis Saelemaekers emphatically stroked home Lukaku’s pass to put a bow on a statement victory for the Red Devils.
Outcomes and rankings twisted in Group G while Egypt and Iran exchanged blows in Seattle, but New Zealand never threatened Belgium’s chances of advancing and the Kiwis finished at the foot of Group G with one point.
