Kevin De Bruyne delivered a masterclass performance as Belgium burst into life with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match. The midfielder scored one goal and set up another, while Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard also found the net in a dominant display.
Garcia's Tactical Gamble Pays Off
Coach Rudi Garcia made a bold decision to bench star striker Romelu Lukaku and instead place his trust in Leandro Trossard. This move opened up different angles and opportunities for De Bruyne, who thrived in a more advanced role. According to post-match analysis, Belgium controlled 62% of possession and created 15 scoring opportunities compared to New Zealand's 3.
De Bruyne Orchestrates the Attack
De Bruyne broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box. He then turned provider early in the second half, delivering a pinpoint cross for Trossard to double the lead. Lukaku came off the bench in the 65th minute and sealed the win with a header from a De Bruyne corner in the 78th minute. “Kevin was phenomenal today. His vision and execution were at the highest level,” Garcia said after the match.
Impact on Group Standings
The victory moved Belgium to the top of Group G with four points from two matches, ahead of their final group fixture. New Zealand remained winless and faced an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages. The win also ended a run of inconsistent performances for Belgium, who had drawn their opening match 1-1 against Uruguay.
