In the third round of the 2026 World Cup group stage, New Zealand lost 1-5 to Belgium. By halftime, Belgium were leading 1-0 thanks to L. Trossard’s goal in the 28th minute.
After the restart, Belgium kept adding to the scoreline. In the 50th minute, L. Trossard finished after an assist from H. Vanaken to complete his second goal of the match; in the 66th minute, K. De Bruyne scored again to make it 3-0. For New Zealand, M. Stamenic was booked in the 46th minute, and Elijah Just also received a yellow card in the 56th minute.
In the 84th minute, Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand to make it 1-3. Belgium responded quickly, with R. Lukaku scoring in the 86th minute from a pass by N. Raskin, and A. Saelemaekers adding another from a R. Lukaku assist in stoppage time at 90+4 to seal the final 5-1 result.
Match statistics showed New Zealand with 45% possession and Belgium with 55%. Expected goals were 0.24 for New Zealand and 3.60 for Belgium; shots were 6 to 35, shots on target 2 to 10, passing accuracy 85% to 88%, corners 5 to 8, offsides 1 each, saves 5 to 1, and fouls 10 to 7.
Before this match, New Zealand had lost 1-3 to Egypt in round 2 of the group stage, while Belgium had drawn 0-0 with Iran in round 2.

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