VANCOUVER – Belgian winger Leandro Trossard came up big for a Belgian team that needed a spark, scoring twice in its dominant 5-1 win over New Zealand in the their final group-stage match of the World Cup at BC Place.
“It’s always nice to score a lot of goals,” Trossard said. “We’re just really happy to go through first place as well.”
The win moves Belgium from third to first in Group G, securing its spot in the Round of 32. Belgium will face the third place team from group A, E, H, I or J in the Round of 32 in Seattle on Wednesday, July 1.
New Zealand is officially eliminated, completing its third World Cup without a win.
“We needed to pick up our points in the first two games and we didn’t do that,” New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley said.
Belgium’s dominance was clear in the first 20 minutes. By the time it was over, Belgium out-shot New Zealand 35 to six.
Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s goal in the 66th minute was enough to give Belgium a better goal differential than Egypt, who tied Iran 1-1 in Seattle, thus leading to Belgium winning Group G.
A group stage highlighted with underwhelming performances paid off in the end for Belgium. Two games with its only goal coming from an own goal did not meet the expectations of the No. 10 ranked team. This convincing win over New Zealand provides the exact momentum Belgium needs heading into the knockouts.
“We are growing into it. We are gaining momentum,” Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia said. “We will relish this first victory.”
The Belgian golden generation silences the critics and lives on for at least one more match.
“I trusted my players, especially my leaders,” Garcia said. “I did not like they were called has-beens.”
Derek Oliveros is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
Source: USA Today
