Belgium overpower New Zealand to reach knock-outs, drama for Iran
· Yahoo Sports
Belgium claimed their first win at the 2026 World Cup on Friday as they overpowered New Zealand in a 5-1 victory and secured a spot in the knock-out stage.
The Belgians advanced as Group G winners and will face the third-placed team in Group A, I or J in the round of 32.
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Egypt held on to a dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran, with the Iranian team having a goal ruled out for offside in stoppage-time and also hitting the crossbar.
Egypt had started the game already qualified to the knock-outs thanks to earlier results. They advance as runners-up and in the next round, will face Australia next Friday.
Iran could still go through as one of the best eight third-placed teams, but must wait for other results. New Zealand are out as they still wait for their first-ever World Cup win.
Belgium had collected draws against Egypt and Iran in the first two matches, but closed the group stage with a strong performance.
Leandro Trossard gave the Red Devils a deserved lead in the 28th minute and added another to his name in the 50th.
Kevin de Bruyne fired a stunner from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 in the 66th before Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand in the 84th.
But any hopes of a late comeback ended when substitute Romelu Lukaku came on in the 85th and needed just one minute to find the net, and Alexis Saelemaekers sealed the score in stoppage-time.