BELGIUM booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Group G winners with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand, while Egypt secured second place despite being held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Iran, whose hopes of reaching the last 32 remain alive.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Belgium’s dominant victory, coupled with Egypt’s draw, saw the Red Devils finish top of Group G on goal difference. Egypt progressed automatically as runners-up, while Iran must now wait on results in other groups to determine whether they qualify as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams.
The group concluded in dramatic fashion as Iran had a stoppage-time goal ruled out for offside following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review before striking the crossbar in the closing seconds, narrowly missing out on what could have been a historic victory.
In Vancouver, Belgium produced their best display of the tournament after two unconvincing opening performances, overpowering New Zealand from the first whistle in a must-win encounter for both sides.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute after Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was allowed to bounce inside the six-yard box, with the Arsenal forward reacting quickest after the ball ricocheted off defender Tim Payne.
Although Belgium created enough chances to put the contest beyond doubt before half-time, their second goal arrived five minutes after the restart.
De Bruyne threaded a precise pass into Trossard, whose initial effort was blocked before he calmly volleyed the rebound into the near corner to complete his brace.
Belgium’s superiority was further rewarded in the 66th minute when De Bruyne capped another outstanding display by drilling a left-footed effort from 20 yards into the bottom corner.
New Zealand briefly reduced the deficit through Elijah Just, who netted his third goal of the tournament, but Belgium restored their three-goal advantage just 56 seconds after substitute Romelu Lukaku entered the pitch, with the striker heading home almost immediately.
Another substitute, Alexis Saelemaekers, added further gloss to the scoreline by slotting home Belgium’s fifth goal in stoppage time to seal an emphatic 5-1 victory.
The result ensured Belgium finished top of Group G on goal difference and, as things stand, they will face South Korea in the Round of 32. New Zealand, meanwhile, bowed out of their third World Cup campaign after collecting just one point from three matches.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, Iran suffered late heartbreak after being held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt in a dramatic encounter that left their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.
Results elsewhere earlier in the day had already confirmed Egypt’s qualification for the knockout stage before kick-off, although the Pharaohs still had the possibility of finishing first, second or third depending on the outcome of the group’s final matches.
Egypt made a perfect start, taking the lead after only five minutes when Mahmoud Saber fired through a crowded penalty area to beat the Iranian goalkeeper.
Iran responded impressively and, although Mehdi Taremi saw his penalty saved by Mostafa Shobeir, they quickly found an equaliser when Ramin Rezaeian reacted fastest to smash home the rebound from a tight angle.
Captain Mohamed Salah, who needed one more goal to equal head coach Hossam Hassan’s all-time Egypt scoring record, was substituted in the 57th minute without finding the net.
The closing stages produced high drama as Iran pushed desperately for the victory they needed.
Taremi headed against the crossbar from a corner, although the referee had already blown for a foul, meaning the effort would not have counted.
The drama intensified in stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh bundled the ball home following a frantic goalmouth scramble, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Moments later, in the seventh minute of added time, Saeid Ezatolahi headed against the crossbar as Iran agonisingly missed one final opportunity to claim victory.
Having drawn all three group matches, Iran remain in contention to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history, but qualification now depends on results elsewhere.
To progress as one of the best third-placed teams, Iran require any one of the following scenarios: Croatia must lose to Ghana in Group L; DR Congo must fail to defeat Uzbekistan in Group K, provided Uzbekistan do not win by seven goals or more; or either Algeria or Austria must win their Group J meeting.
Egypt, who finished second in Group G, will face Australia in the Round of 32 in Dallas on Friday, July 3, while Belgium continue their campaign as group winners after finally producing the level of performance many expected from one of the tournament’s pre-competition favourites.