New Zealand v Belgium - World Cup result as Leandro Trossard brace helps brilliant Belgium score five and win group

Leandro Trossard scored a brace as Belgium showed their prowess by thrashing New Zealand 5-1 to top Group H in style.

Belgium took the initiative from the get-go, and Trossard was inches away from giving his side an early lead, but the ball didn't quite cross the line.

Trossard then thought he had won a penalty when the ball looked to have struck Finn Surman's arm, but replays showed it hit the arm tucked close to his body so the decision was overturned.

However, the Arsenal winger finally got his goal, when Tim Payne made a mess of clearing a corner and Trossard capitalised, smashing home from point-blank range.

Belgium dominated all half, but could not find a second before the break as Charles de Ketelaere wasted chances, having been chosen ahead of Romelu Lukaku to lead the line.

However, Trossard added his second after the break when he followed up a blocked shot with a smart volley past Max Crocombe.

Kevin de Bruyne, who had pulled the strings all evening, finally got a goal of his own when a New Zealand challenge fell his way on the edge of the box and he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.

With Egypt drawing with Iran in the other group game, Belgium knew a three-goal win was enough to go top of the group, but that position was in jeopardy when Elijah Just got a goal back for the Kiwis after a corner was half-cleared to him on the edge of the box.

However, Belgium got a fourth less than a minute later. Romelu Lukaku, himself subbed on seconds beforehand, rose high to head home fellow substitute Nicolas Raskin's pinpoint cross to restore the three-goal advantage.

Alexis Saelemaekers put the cherry on top in the dying seconds with a smart finish that wrong-footed Crocombe as Belgium made a statement of intent after two underwhelming opening performances.

Thanks to Egypt drawing with Iran, Belgium progress as group winners and will play a third-placed team in the Round of 32.

Iran had thought they had clinched second spot with a late winner, only for it to be ruled out for a tight offside. Egypt go through in second place to face Australia, while Iran are set to progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Belgium can now start plotting their route to the final.

They will play a third-placed team in the Round of 32, before potential clashes with USA, Spain and France before the final.

Certainly a tough side of the draw to be on.

Here's how things ended in Group G:

GROUP G
New Zealand 1-5 Belgium
Egypt 1-1 Iran
Group G:
1. Belgium: 5 points, +4 goal difference
2. Egypt: 5, +2
3. Iran: 3, 0
4. New Zealand: 2, -5
3rd place rankings:
1. Sweden: 4 points (0 goal difference), 2. Ecuador: 4 (0), 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina: 4 (-1), 4. Paraguay: 4 (-2), 5. Senegal: 3 (+2), 6. Iran: 3 (0), 7. Croatia: 3 (-1) - play Ghana in final game, 8. South Korea: 3 (-1), 9. Algeria: 3 (-2) - Austria, 10. Scotland: 3 (-3), 11. Uruguay: 3 (-1), 12. Democratic Republic of Congo: 1 (-1) - Uzbekistan

There's an offside check for Iran's goal, but we know that Belgium will be top of the group regardless, and New Zealand are eliminated.

The gulf in class was evident as the lowest-ranked side in the tournament could not muster a challenge.

However, Belgium have finally arrived. Can they go deep in this tournament?

The goal from Iran has been ruled out for offside.

Will it be five? They're queuing up and Maxim de Cuyper lines one up from outside the box, but Max Crocombe tips it over the bar. Fantastic save!

Just the 34 attempts from Belgium today. This has been a far, far better performance than their other group stage matches.

And there is the fifth! Alexis Saelemaekers wrong-foots Crocombe and curls one into the near corner!

I didn't even have time to tell you, but Romelu Lukaku and Nicolas Raskin came on for Youri Tielemans and Chris de Ketelaere.

They have combined for a goal and assist respectively already.

Belgium back with a three-goal cushion and back on top of the group!

It's the two substitutes who have just come on combining, as Nicola Raskin chips the ball in to Romelu Lukaku who nods the ball into the back of the net.

Wow!

New Zealand whip in a corner, which is headed clear, but Elijah Just converts from the edge of the box for a consolation!

Belgium win a free-kick and, with KDB no longer on the pitch, it's a free-for-all on who will take it.

The crowd of eight thins to three before Youri Tielemans also walks away.

Maxim De Cuyper goes for it, trying to bend it round the wall, but blazes over.

New Zealand bring on Frances De Vries for Liberato Cacace.

That break has done nothing to halt Belgium's surge.

Wave after wave of attack comes, but New Zealand counter.

Chris Wood and Elijah Just link up, but the latter sees his shot skew wide.

Belgium make some changes at the break, as Leandro Trossard and Kevin de Bruyne head off for an early bath. The clear two contenders for player of the match.

On come Amadou Onana and Alexis Saelemaekers.

And now comes the much-needed hydration break for New Zealand.

Group G:
1. Belgium: 5 points, +3 goal difference
2. Egypt: 5, +2
3. Iran: 3, 0
4. New Zealand: 2, -4
3rd place rankings:
1. Sweden: 4 points (0 goal difference), 2. Ecuador: 4 (0), 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina: 4 (-1), 4. Paraguay: 4 (-2), 5. Senegal: 3 (+2), 6. Iran: 3 (0) - Egypt, 7. Croatia: 3 (-1) - play Ghana in final game, 8. South Korea: 3 (-1), 9. Algeria: 3 (-2) - Austria, 10. Scotland: 3 (-3), 11. Uruguay: 3 (-1), 12. Democratic Republic of Congo: 1 (-1) - Uzbekistan.

An arrow of a shot!

Leandro Trossard tries to cut inside but is tackled. The ball rolls to Kevin de Bruyne on the edge of the box, who sweetly fires the ball right into the bottom corner.

And with that goal, Belgium are set to go top of the group!

What a miss from Matias Fernandez!

It is a lovely team move, but the Lille lad can't convert inside the box, with just the keeper to beat!

Seconds later, Belgium come forward again but Kevin de Bruyne's shot is blocked.

New Zealand on the ropes.

New Zealand have their first corner, but Thibaut Courtois punches away Tim Payne's delivery.

Finn Sermon comes across well to deny Charles de Ketelaere, who is yet to stamp his authority on the game and the number nine spot.

Arthur Theate rises to meet a Matias Fernandez delivery, but it is well-saved by Max Crocombe.

Tim Payne registers New Zealand's first shot of the match, but it is blocked.

Tyler Bindon attempts another long throw but it is easily cleared. Elijah Just picks up a booking.

Jeremy Doku's return is over too. He is replaced by Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

That should be that in terms of the result, but can Belgium find a third that would send them top, should Egypt draw with Iran?

GROUP G AS IT STANDS
New Zealand 0-2 Belgium
Egypt 1-1 Iran
Group G:
1. Egypt: 5 points, +2 goal difference
2. Belgium: 5, +2
3. Iran: 3, 0
4. New Zealand: 2, -3
3rd place rankings:
1. Sweden: 4 points (0 goal difference), 2. Ecuador: 4 (0), 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina: 4 (-1), 4. Paraguay: 4 (-2), 5. Senegal: 3 (+2), 6. Iran: 3 (0) - Egypt, 7. Croatia: 3 (-1) - play Ghana in final game, 8. South Korea: 3 (-1), 9. Algeria: 3 (-2) - Austria, 10. Scotland: 3 (-3), 11. Uruguay: 3 (-1), 12. Democratic Republic of Congo: 1 (-1) - Uzbekistan.

It's that man again!

Kevin de Bruyne slides it in to Leandro Trossard who cuts inside in the box.

His first shot is blocked, but it sits up kindly to volley the second attempt into the back of the net!

VAR have a quick check, but it will stand.

Two changes for New Zealand: Jesse Randal and Benjamin Old are on for Ryan Thomas and Sarpreet Singh.

Marko Stamenic fells Youri Tielemans and picks up the first yellow card of the match.