LEANDRO TROSSARD grabbed two goals before Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku also scored as Belgium topped Group G.
The Red Devils overcame a slow start at the World Cup to advance to the knockout round with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night.
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Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku both scored Credit: Reuters
Leandro Trossard found the back of the net twice Credit: AP
Belgium began their campaign with draws against both Egypt and Iran.
And the pressure was on to reach the knockout stages, let alone top a relatively weak group.
They did so with a scoring burst.
And as a result, their reward is facing a third-place finisher on Wednesday in Seattle.
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The match was played simultaneously to the other group finale in Seattle between Egypt and Iran, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Belgians went into the match a surprising third in its group after opening the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a scoreless draw against Iran.
But Trossard lashed home a double either side of half-time.
De Bruyne added a third from range.
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Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand, who needed to win outright to have a chance at advancing.
That momentarily saw Belgium drop to second behind Egypt on goals scored.
But Lukaku headed in straight after coming on.
And Alexis Saelemaekers wrapped it up in style.
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Trossard lashed home emphatically Credit: Getty
Kevin De Bruyne scored from the edge of the box Credit: Reuters
Lukaku headed in late on Credit: Reuters
New Zealand finished bottom of the group Credit: Reuters
Belgium were eliminated in the group stage in Qatar four years ago after finishing third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
But they avoided a repeat early exit this time around.
The All Whites head home without a first-ever World Cup win.



