What was he doing on the opening Belgium goal? Payne was marking Chris Wood and somehow elbowed the ball towards goal. Had huge trouble dealing with Jeremy Doku for most of the match. He also left Leandro Trossard unmarked on the second goal after having chased 40m to keep the ball in, before turning it over in the lead-up to the goal. Had a good searching cross, but another long ball for Wood was too hopeful on a rare attacking chance. Off at 65 minutes.
4 Tyler Bindon – 4
Given the start ahead of Michael Boxall to link up with Finn Surman – the defensive pairing for years to come. Bindon saved a certain goal off the line. But he had too many turnovers when New Zealand finally held the ball, including passing the ball out an attempt to Cacace out wide. Shifted to right back near the end.
13 Liberato Cacace – 4
A good first quarter as he seemed to be going well against Doku before he switched sides. Good steal early on before putting the ball out. Got up the field but poor delivery into the box along with a wasted corner straight to goalie Thibaut Courtois. Produced one good, searching long ball for Singh. Lost 50-50 ball in lead-up to De Bruyne goal. Off after 79 minutes.
All Whites players Marko Stamenic and Liberato Cacace commiserate after the defeat to Belgium. Photo / Photosport
16 Finn Surman – 4
A tough night when Belgium just kept coming right until the 95th minute. Surman was pretty solid up until Trossard finally opened the scoring in the 28th minute. He blocked a shot in front of goal in the opening half and briefly gave away a penalty for handball before VAR rightfully changed the decision. Was beaten in Belgium’s second goal and lost Romelu Lukaku before he headed in the fourth.
6 Joe Bell – 5
Just didn’t get enough time on the ball going forward in the first half. Needed to be last man clearing the ball from his own box in early stages. Lost the ball after defending a corner. Tough outing when side was backpedalling so often. Off at 65 minutes.
8 Marko Stamenic – 5
Brought some physicality in the middle of the field but just didn’t get the opportunities to go forward enough in the first half. Marko Stamenic suffered an early knock and later sent a searching ball into box straight to the goalie. Earned himself a yellow after halftime.
Match referee Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh shows a yellow card to Marko Stamenic. Photo / Photosport
10 Sarpreet Singh – 4
His first touch was off and he seemed to be pushing passes that weren’t on. The All Whites had so few attacking chances that they needed to be more clinical on the rare occasions – but Sarpreet Singh was inaccurate. One sliding tackle in the box stopped a Belgian attack and a nice long ball to Cacace almost created a chance. Off at halftime so at least he can say it was close when he was on the field.
11 Elijah Just – 7
The best and probably only attacking threat all game for New Zealand. Elijah Just was the most skilful All White and looked comfortable with the ball – but most of the time he was receiving it 60m away from goal. Almost created a goal out of nothing in the second half but he eventually got a much-deserved third goal at the tournament. Another cracking finish.
Elijah Just celebrates his goal against Belgium. Photo / Getty Images
23 Ryan Thomas – 4
On to the starting wing for Callum McCowatt after bringing an injury into the tournament. Ryan Thomas tried but just couldn’t link up with Wood enough. He put in plenty of hard work and running, which may be why he was pulled after the first half, as the All Whites were chasing and needed fresh legs.
9 Chris Wood – 3
The captain was playing one-on-two for most of the game with very few chances. Won a defensive corner header, which says it all when that’s the Chris Wood highlight of the match.
Substitutes
19 Ben Old – 5
On at halftime and looked to make an impact in his first 10 minutes, but was quickly pulled into defending for the rest of his time on the field.
21 Jesse Randall – 5
Came on for the second half and enjoyed some possession down the left-hand side. But the World Cup is a big step up from the A-League and he just couldn’t get the better of his marker and find a shot or final pass.
5 Michael Boxall – 3
Came on for the final quarter as Belgium banged in three more goals.
20 Callum McCowatt – 3
On at the 65-minute mark and left De Bruyne free on the edge of box (something that probably would have come up in the video sessions ahead of the game), resulting in a goal just a minute later. No composure on a decent attacking counter.
3 Francis de Vries – 4
Got to play in the last 11 minutes and sent in a decent attacking throw-in that kept the Belgians honest.
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