New Zealand — Belgium

BC Place witnessed a massacre in the Vancouver rain — and yet, for forty-five minutes, New Zealand dared you to believe it might be something else entirely. Here is the number that tells the real story: Belgium's xG reached 3.65 against New Zealand's 0.25. The 5-1 scoreline is no flattery — if anything, five saves from the All Whites keeper kept it from being uglier. This was a class gap rendered in cold, unforgiving mathematics. But here is the paradox worth your attention: New Zealand actually won the second-half possession battle, 54 to 46. After the break they pushed, they pressed. The problem is that pressing without teeth is just running. Six shots all night, zero big chances — New Zealand never genuinely threatened Belgium's backline. Their first half was even starker: 38% possession, suffocated. The double substitution at halftime showed the coach knew it too. When Elijah Just pulled one back at 84 minutes it was a moment of individual quality — his 7.41 rating the loneliest number on the teamsheet. Kevin De Bruyne, rated 9.33, was the conductor of an orchestra that knew every note. His goal at 66 minutes was the kind of precise, inevitable finish that reminds you why his reading of space remains elite. Leandro Trossard was the executioner: two goals, both composed, both clinical. There was also that VAR moment involving Trossard at 21 minutes — a decision went against Belgium then. Did it matter? He scored twice anyway. Was justice served, or was a potential hat-trick stolen? That one is for the pub. Belgium's blemish? Two big chances missed out of four. The second half also saw them sit at 46% possession, inviting New Zealand's brief revival. Comfortable, yes — and comfort can breed carelessness. Saelemaekers and Lukaku both scored after coming off the bench in the final minutes, which tells you the depth of this squad is genuinely frightening. On FootLegion, Belgium's five goals are locked in your collection — no referee, no VAR takes them away. Now over to you: does De Bruyne's masterclass put Belgium among genuine contenders, or was this just a mismatch? And New Zealand — is there any plan B, or is Group G already over for them?