Belgium cemented their position at the summit of Group G with a commanding 5‑1 triumph over New Zealand, a result that not only highlighted the team’s attacking firepower but also restored confidence after a sluggish start to the tournament.
Kevin De Bruyne opened his account in the competition with a well‑taken strike, while Romelu Lukaku surpassed Marc Wilmots’ long‑standing record for Belgium’s World Cup goal tally, underscoring the duo’s resurgence after earlier missed chances against Egypt and Iran. Jeremy Doku also made a notable return to the squad after a brief absence for the birth of his child.
Garcia’s Focus on the Immediate Challenge
Manager Rudi Garcia emphasized the need to concentrate on the round‑of‑32 match rather than speculating about potential future opponents, reminding observers that the team’s immediate priority is to maintain momentum and avoid complacency.
Should Belgium advance, they could face any of South Korea, Senegal or Algeria in the next stage, while a tantalising prospect of a showdown with the United States team looms after their 5‑2 friendly victory earlier in the year.