The Red Devils struck gold in a resounding 5-1 triumph over New Zealand, sending shockwaves through the World Cup group stages and catapulting themselves into the knockout fray. Leandro Trossard's double salvo proved to be the catalyst for this blistering display of attacking prowess, as Belgium left their earlier woes well behind them.
The usually potent trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers were given a licence to thrill by coach Roberto Martínez's successor – and they duly obliged. The latter, in particular, made an instant impact off the bench, netting his first World Cup goal and rubbing salt into New Zealand's wounds.
New Zealand, meanwhile, can hold their heads high despite being outplayed for large spells. Coach Darren Bazeley expressed pride in his team's dogged effort and unyielding work-rate, even if the result proved beyond redemption. "The results hurt, but I'm proud of the performance and the lads' graft," he said, acknowledging the near-impossible task that lay ahead against a team of this calibre.
Elijah Just did manage to net a consolation for New Zealand, but Belgium's relentless pressure told – particularly after conceding early goals. That forced the All Whites to abandon caution and chase an equaliser, ultimately leaving them vulnerable to counter-attacks. The Belgian faithful, meanwhile, will be basking in the glow of their team's newfound momentum, with one fan remarking that this result has brought a much-needed 'weight off our shoulders'.
The other Group G match saw Egypt secure a historic 1-1 draw against Iran, booking themselves a spot in the Round of 32 for the first time ever. Iran must now wait with bated breath to see if they'll join the party as one of the eight best third-placed teams – while Belgium will face off against the third-placed team from Group A, I, or J.
Source: The Guardian