Leandro Trossard scored twice to send Belgium into the World Cup knockout stage, and Rudi Garcia’s side finished Group G with a dominant win over New Zealand. Spain, Belgium, Egypt and Cape Verde all reached the last 32, while England had already secured a place before facing Panama in New York at 22:00 BST.
Trossard strikes twice
Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute and added Belgium’s second five minutes after the break. Kevin de Bruyne supplied the pass for the second goal, and Belgium’s control of the match turned a qualification step into a group-winning result.
That win sent Belgium through with Group G won, while New Zealand finished bottom and exited the tournament. Belgium’s place in the knockout stage was settled on the field, not by waiting on later results.
Iran's VAR frustration
Iran’s route was messier. In Seattle, they drew 1-1 with Egypt, had a goal ruled out for offside, and then saw Shoja Khalilzadeh turn home after a goalmouth scramble before that effort was disallowed after a lengthy video assistant referee check.
Saeid Ezatolahi also hit the woodwork in the seventh minute of added time, which left Iran still searching for their first knockout-phase place. They have drawn all three of their group matches, and their hopes now rest on the outcomes of Groups J, K and L as they chase a first-ever place in the knockout phase as a best third-placed qualifier.
England's path shifts
England were already through to the last 32 before they played Panama in New York, but the route behind them still matters. If England win the group and DR Congo qualify in third, England will meet DR Congo in the last 32; as it stood, Senegal would play their side in the next round.
Scotland’s chances of progression had fallen to 0.07% according to Opta, a number that leaves little room for error in the remaining group-stage picture. For the teams already through, the task now is simple: finish the group cleanly and wait for the bracket to settle around them.
