Belgium cruise into World Cup knockout stage with five-star display against New Zealand

Belgium produced their most complete performance of the FIFA World Cup to thrash New Zealand 5-1 and secure top spot in Group G, setting up a Round of 32 clash against one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.

Leandro Trossard struck twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net as the Red Devils comfortably booked their place in the knockout rounds, extending their unbeaten run to 16 matches.

The defeat ended New Zealand's World Cup campaign, with the All Whites finishing bottom of the group and still searching for their first victory on football's biggest stage.

Knowing victory would guarantee qualification, Belgium wasted little time asserting themselves and almost grabbed the lead inside the opening minutes.

Trossard met a dangerous delivery from close range and struck the inside of the post, only for Tyler Bindon to produce a superb goal-line clearance to deny the winger.

Belgium believed they had another golden opportunity when referee Adham Makhadmeh awarded a penalty after Finn Surman appeared to handle Trossard's effort inside the box.

However, a VAR review concluded the defender's arm was in a natural position, and the decision was overturned.

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The setback did little to disrupt Belgium's momentum, and they eventually found the breakthrough in the 28th minute following sustained pressure.

Kevin De Bruyne's corner confused the New Zealand penalty area, with Tim Payne failing to deal with the delivery before the loose ball dropped kindly for Trossard, who reacted quickest to stab home from point-blank range.

Having scored the opening goal in each of their previous two group matches, New Zealand struggled to replicate that attacking threat against a disciplined Belgian side.

The All Whites rarely troubled Thibaut Courtois, who was making his record-breaking 18th FIFA World Cup appearance for Belgium, as the Red Devils comfortably controlled possession for the remainder of the opening half.

Belgium carried the same intensity into the second period and doubled its advantage five minutes after the restart.

De Bruyne split the New Zealand defense with an incisive pass that released Trossard, whose initial effort was blocked before the Arsenal forward reacted sharply to rifle the rebound beyond Max Crocombe for his second goal of the evening.

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With Egypt tied with Iran in the other Group G fixture for much of the contest, Belgium knew further goals could prove decisive in the battle for top spot, and they continued to dominate proceedings.

Their superiority was rewarded again in the 66th minute when De Bruyne capped another outstanding display by collecting possession on the edge of the penalty area before sweeping a precise low finish beyond Crocombe.

New Zealand managed a brief response as Elijah Just produced a composed finish to reduce the deficit and register his third goal of the tournament, offering the traveling supporters a rare moment to celebrate.

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback were immediately extinguished as Belgium restored its three-goal cushion almost instantly.

Substitute Nicolas Raskin delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, where fellow substitute Romelu Lukaku rose highest to power home a header, becoming Belgium's all-time leading FIFA World Cup goal scorer with six tournament goals.

There was still time for another substitute to join the scoresheet as Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout with a well-taken finish late on to cap a dominant Belgian display.

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The comprehensive victory ensured Belgium finished top of Group G ahead of Egypt and advanced to the Round of 32 full of confidence after producing arguably their most convincing performance of the tournament.

For New Zealand, the defeat brought their campaign to an end as Darren Bazeley's side finished with one point from three matches.

The Oceania representatives remain without a victory in nine FIFA World Cup finals matches, drawing level with Honduras for the most appearances at the tournament without recording a win.