VANCOUVER — For 180 minutes at this World Cup, Belgium had been a team of ghosts. Two draws. Zero goals scored by their own players. A “golden generation” that looked more like rusted iron. The obituaries were being written before the group stage had even finished.

Then Vancouver happened. And Belgium reminded everyone why they were once ranked number one in the world.

Thirty-five shots. Ten on target. Five goals. This was not a football match. This was a statement of intent delivered with the force of a sledgehammer.

Leandro Trossard, the Arsenal forward who has made a career out of being in the right place at the right time, was the catalyst. His 28th-minute opener was classic Trossard — a corner kick, a scramble in the box, and suddenly the ball was in the net. No fuss. No celebration beyond a clenched fist. Just the quiet efficiency of a man who knows his job.

His second goal, five minutes into the second half, was anything but quiet. Hans Vanaken’s cross arced into the box, and Trossard took it on his chest, swivelled, and volleyed past Max Crocombe in one fluid motion. It was the kind of goal that makes you rewind the tape just to understand how he did it. 2-0. Belgium were cruising.

Then came the moment that Belgium had been waiting for since the tournament began. Kevin De Bruyne, the heartbeat of this team, the man whose passing range can unlock any defence, finally got his goal. The 66th minute. A low drive from the edge of the box that skidded across the turf and nestled into the bottom corner. De Bruyne didn’t celebrate wildly. He simply raised his arms, as if to say: “There. That’s what I do.”

New Zealand, to their eternal credit, refused to leave quietly. Elijah Just — the Motherwell winger who has been one of the All Whites’ brightest sparks — scored a wonderful volley in the 84th minute. 3-1. For a brief moment, the New Zealand fans behind the goal dared to dream of a grandstand finish.

Romelu Lukaku crushed that dream 64 seconds later. The Napoli striker, introduced as a substitute, rose to meet Nicolas Raskin’s cross with his first touch of the match and headed home. 4-1. The big man had been on the pitch for less than a minute. That is what Romelu Lukaku does. That is why, even when he doesn’t start, he matters.

Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time, and Belgium had their victory. Not just a victory — a demolition. They topped Group G on goal difference, leapfrogging Egypt in the process.

New Zealand head home with zero points but their heads held higher than the table suggests. They led Iran twice. They led Egypt. They scored against Belgium. Darren Bazeley’s side showed that the gap between the World Cup’s traditional powers and its emerging nations is narrowing — but it still exists, and on nights like this, it can feel like a canyon.

Belgium Unleash 35-Shot Barrage: Red Devils Silence Critics in Vancouver

Group G Final Standings

Belgium top the group with seven points (GD +5) and advance to the Round of 32. Egypt finish second with five points. Iran take third with four points and await the best third-placed teams table. New Zealand exit with zero points.

Match Stats

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