38 mins: Just as I say that, Tim Payne sends a gorgeous bending ball from deep on the right side of midfield in towards Belgium\u2019s six-yard area. There are no New Zealand<\/a> players there to meet it, but it pings off the shin of Theate and out for a corner, which the towering Courtois collects.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 37 mins: In a good indication of the momentum of this match, Belgium have had 10 shots (3 on target) to New Zealand\u2019s 0 (0).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 mins: Some better spells of possession for New Zealand<\/a> now after that first 30 minutes of pressure. They\u2019re finding a bit more time and space in midfield, but can\u2019t find those final passes forward into Wood.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 mins: A half-chance for New Zealand<\/a> as Just delivers a deep cross from the left side towards captain Chris Wood, who\u2019s being marshalled by two Belgian centre-backs. The ball is just too heavy and drifts over the striker as he stretches every sinew in his neck to try and reach it. Bummer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32 mins: Eli Just gets in behind De Cuyper for the first time, having swapped wings with Ryan Thomas. He nips onto a long-ball by Payne and tries to cut back for a team-mate, but it\u2019s well intercepted by Belgium<\/a> who come forward again.<\/p>\n Youri Tielemans holds off New Zealand\u2019s Tim Payne. Photograph: Dirk Waem\/Belga\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.39 EDT<\/p>\n 31 mins: Belgium<\/a> go down the other end and create yet another chance with De Cuyper squaring for any red-shirted runners, but a white shin sweeps the ball away just in time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 mins: New Zealand<\/a> with their first corner of the match after a nice through-ball from Tim Payne into Sarpreet Singh. They won\u2019t be getting much of these moments based on the past half-hour, but Thibault Courtois launches up into the air and catches comfortably.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 29 mins: You\u2019d have to say that goal was coming. Belgium have been relentless since the opening whistle, and they were only a New Zealand<\/a> mistake away from taking the lead. Trossard has been the most active for the Red Devils in attack so far, so it\u2019s fitting it was him to score the nation\u2019s first goal of this World Cup.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! New Zealand 0-1 Belgium (Trossard, 28)<\/p>\n A De Bruyne corner is poorly defended by New Zealand<\/a> and Trossard reacts first, poking it into the net.<\/p>\n No doubt this time for Leandro Trossard as Belgium lead. Photograph: Agust\u00edn Marcarian\/Reuters Updated at\u00a023.34 EDT<\/p>\n 26 mins: Play resumes with a Belgium<\/a> free kick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 mins: Scratch that, it\u2019s a restart for New Zealand<\/a> for some reason. Crocombe launches it up field, with Wood trying to get his first touch on the ball. There\u2019s a scramble away and the referee signals for the first hydration break.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 22 mins: No penalty! It would\u2019ve been extremely harsh if it had been given. The referee rules Surman\u2019s arm was in a natural position. Corner for Belgium<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 21 mins: Penalty to Belgium<\/a>? VAR are checking the play as the ball seemed to whack the arm of Surman as he came in to block Trossard\u2019s shot. The referee signals his little rectangle in the air and trots over to the sideline.<\/p>\n Leandro Trossard shoots before the ball hits the arm of New Zealand’s Finn Surman. Penalty? Photograph: Albert Gea\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.27 EDT<\/p>\n 20 mins: So close for Belgium! A brilliant move started by De Bruyne, who picks up a Doku pass near the centre-circle and charges forward, before sending a pass into Trossard\u2019s feet. The winger cuts inside and shapes to shoot as two New Zealand<\/a> defenders close down the angle, with the ball ricocheting off the white shirts and deflects over the crossbar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 mins: Belgium<\/a> with another corner, which De Bruyne sends short into Doku. The Manchester City winger tries to cut back to a team-mate in acres of space near the top of the box, but it\u2019s intercepted by Joe Bell who whacks it up-field. Any outlet will do.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 17 mins: The stadium bell tolls and Iran have equalised in today\u2019s simultaneous game: Egypt 1 \u2013 1 Iran.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 mins: Belgium aren\u2019t here to muck around. New Zealand<\/a> are banked in the penalty area as Trossard, Doku and De Bruyne take turns shooting, with white shirts flinging themselves in front of every ball. Still 0-0, somehow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 15 mins: The broadcast shows a slow-mo replay of the almost-goal earlier. Tyler Bindon somehow got his shin in the way of the spinning ball to deflect it off the line. Incredible.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Allan with quite the observation: \u201cBoth the prior pair of matches (CPV v KSA and URU v ESP) and the current pair (EGY v IRN and NZL v BEL) have featured *exactly* the same kits facing each other in both matches. Coincidence? Hey, I\u2019m just asking questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 mins: It\u2019s Kevin De Bruyne\u2019s turn now, nipping his way out of a two-man press near the top of New Zealand\u2019s box before rocketing a low shot towards goal. Max Crocombe does well to get down and parry, and luckily there are no Belgian players following up as Mechele is laid strewn in the grass instead of paying attention to the ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 mins: HOW WAS THAT NOT A GOAL? A remarkable opportunity for Belgium after Leandro Trossard pounces on a loose ball in the box and shoots to the far bottom corner. Somehow, the ball pings off the post and seems to float over the line before being scooped away by a scrambling New Zealand<\/a> player. There\u2019s a brief VAR check, but the ball didn\u2019t seem to cross the line.<\/p>\n Leandro Trossard somehow doesn\u2019t score for Belgium! Photograph: Agust\u00edn Marcarian\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.17 EDT<\/p>\n 10 mins: Belgium<\/a> getting closer! A great low ball from De Cuyper in towards the penalty spot, but it\u2019s a poor first touch from De Ketelaere, with the ball ping-ponging around a bit. Belgium have won a corner in the chaos, though.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 9 mins: New Zealand<\/a> are struggling to get out of their own half, with Belgium winning the ball back quickly and recycling through their midfield. The All Whites are double-teaming Doku on the right wing, but leaving lots of space down the left.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 7 mins: Belgium with some patient passes around the top left of New Zealand\u2019s penalty area. A lot is coming through Kevin De Bruyne at the moment, with the midfielder trying to send two team-mates through down the left, but they both pause for some reason and Surman hoofs it away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 mins: The in-stadium bell signals a goal has been scored in Group G\u2019s other match as Egypt take a 1-0 lead against Iran.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 4 mins: Belgium<\/a> with the first shot of the match after a Castagne cross is pinged out towards the top of the box, but Youri Tielemans launches the ball into the stand behind the goal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Andrew writes in with a prediction: \u201cAs Aussie, would love NZ to sneak in 2nd in the group\u2026to play us Aussies in the Battle of Oceania in R32.\u201d<\/p>\n As a fellow Aussie, I\u2019m all for it!<\/p>\n Jeremy Doku comes up against New Zealand’s Elijah Just. Photograph: Anne-Marie Sorvin\/IMAGN IMAGES\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.08 EDT<\/p>\n 3 mins: The electric Jeremy Doku is on the ball for the first time, returned to the team following the birth of his child. He tries to feint and double-feint on the right wing, but Liberato Cacace crashes in and New Zealand<\/a> win the ball back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min: Belgium with some early territory, with De Cuyper launching a long throw into New Zealand\u2019s penalty area, but Sarpreet Singh clears it away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-off! Centre referee Adham Makhadmen, who refereed Cape Verde\u2019s famous 0-0 draw against Spain, blows his whistle and we\u2019re underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Before kick-off, both teams and the referees gather for a moment\u2019s silence to pay respect to the lives lost in Venezuela following the recent devastating earthquakes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n While we get an extreme close-up of New Zealand<\/a> striker Chris Wood getting a bit emotional while singing his country\u2019s anthem in what could very well be his last ever World Cup, what\u2019s your tip for today\u2019s match?<\/p>\n Can New Zealand follow in Cape Verde\u2019s steps and cause a massive upset? Or will Belgium<\/a> find the gear they\u2019ve been missing and sail through to the knock-outs?<\/p>\n Send me an email! samantha.lewis.freelance@guardian.co.uk<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams have gathered around the centre-circle ready for the anthems. New Zealand<\/a> are, as their name foreshadows, wearing All White, while Belgium are in their traditional home kit of red jersey with black shorts and black socks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> New World Cup celebrity Tim Payne starts once again for New Zealand<\/a> today, and a stand-out performance will only add out his extremely funny rise to stardom.<\/p>\n Take a read below of how the tournament\u2019s least-known player became an overnight sensation thanks to\u2026 an Argentinian influencer?<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Speaking of, who is through to the last 32? Share<\/a> Not all matches on this final day are as straight-forward as this one, though. Fifa\u2019s new head-to-head ruling has created unusual situations where some teams are heading into their final games already eliminated from the World Cup<\/a>, regardless of their final results.<\/p>\n Yesterday, for example, we saw Turkey defeat hosts USA 3-2<\/a> in an ultimately inconsequential 90 minutes, while tomorrow England will face Panama (eliminated) and Argentina take on Jordan (eliminated).<\/p>\n Elsewhere, as the folks at Guardian Football Weekly discussed recently<\/a>, some potentially unfair advantages have emerged where some nations enter their final match day with more information than others, which could affect how they go about their games.<\/p>\n In Japan\u2019s final group game against Sweden yesterday<\/a>, both sides took to the field knowing that whichever of them won would finish runner-up and therefore face Brazil in the next round.<\/p>\n Similarly, tomorrow\u2019s match between Algeria and Austria will see two teams perhaps trying not to win because the winner will have to take on Spain.<\/p>\n What have you made of Fifa\u2019s new format? Has the head-to-head deciding factor created a better spectacle, or has it taken the drama and jeopardy out of this final match day?<\/p>\n Send me an email and\/or listen to the Guardian team discussing the ramifications below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a> New Zealand, meanwhile, will be kicking themselves for not taking more from their ultimate 3-1 loss against Egypt<\/a>. An excellent headed goal to Finn Surman in the 15th minute epitomised the All Whites\u2019 dominant first-half display, staying compact and disciplined in defence and charging forward with direct long balls and overlaps in attack.<\/p>\n But Egypt, led by their talismanic captain Mohamed Salah, came roaring back in the second half, coming from behind to score three unanswered goals and rocket to the top of the group as a result.<\/p>\n New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley rued his side\u2019s poor second-half display, especially after showing such promise in the first.<\/p>\n If they start today\u2019s match against Belgium<\/a> similarly, they\u2019ll need to find some deeper resilience to maintain their momentum all the way to the final whistle.<\/p>\n double quotation mark\u201cIt\u2019s frustrating,\u201d Bazeley said after the Egypt match<\/a>. \u201cWe played so well in the first half. We scored \u200ca great goal, created lots \u200cof chances, felt like we were dominating possession a lot of the time in the first half, and \u200cwe were comfortable. We weren\u2019t really getting hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cWe talked well at half-time, looked at some things we can do a little bit better, we went out second half and we just weren\u2019t able to recreate the tempo and quality that we showed in the first half.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Belgium will have to improve if they are to win today\u2019s match against a plucky New Zealand<\/a> and secure their spot in the round of 32.<\/p>\n They currently sit 10th out of the 12 third-placed teams, with only the top 8 progressing to the knock-outs.<\/p>\n As Ben Fisher wrote in his match report after their 0-0 draw against Iran<\/a>:<\/p>\n double quotation markTheir record at major tournaments now reads two wins from their past nine matches, one from their past six, against Romania at Euro 2024. They have had a total of 38 shots in their opening two games in the US without scoring themselves, their sole goal coming courtesy of the Egypt defender Mohamed Hany. They missed the energy of J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku, who was absent through illness, while Romelu Lukaku, making his first start for club or country for more than 12 months, huffed and puffed in attack.<\/p>\n Head coach Rudi Garcia certainly sees today\u2019s match as a must-win for his underperforming side, though I\u2019m not sure the cycling metaphor is instilling the kind of confidence he thinks it is:<\/p>\n double quotation markSometimes when you have to win, sometimes that\u2019s the best situation. Obviously we had wished to start better. But, just like cyclists, we have to keep pedalling on and on and show we deserve to move on to the round of 32.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Belgium XI Five changes for Belgium<\/a> after their frustrating 0-0 draw against Iran.<\/p>\n Timothy Castagne replaces Thomas Meunier at right-back, while Arthur Theate starts at centre-back in place of the red-carded Nathan Ngoy.<\/p>\n Hans Vanaken comes into midfield instead of Nicolas Raskin, Jeremy Doku is back in the starting team to replace Alexis Saelemaekers, and Charles De Ketelaere is up front in place of Romelu Lukaku.<\/p>\n Belgium XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; De Cuyper, Theate, Mechele, Castagne; Tielemans, Vanaken; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>New Zealand XI Two changes for New Zealand\u2019s team from their loss to Egypt: Tyler Bindon starts at centre-back in place of the highly experienced Michael Boxall, while Callum McCowatt makes way for Ryan Thomas in midfield.<\/p>\n New Zealand XI (4-2-3-1) Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Bindon, Cacace; Stamenic, Bell; Thomas, Singh, Just; Wood.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> So, what happens next?<\/p>\n Belgium will guarantee qualification to the next round with a win against New Zealand<\/a>, while New Zealand need to beat Belgium to sneak into third spot in Group G (and hope Iran lose to Egypt to potentially leapfrog them into second).<\/p>\n In today\u2019s simultaneous game, Egypt will guarantee qualification with a draw or a win against Iran, while Iran will qualify if they defeat Egypt.<\/p>\n The winner of Group G will then face the third-placed team from one of Group A, H, I or J (which at this stage could be one of South Korea, Senegal, or Algeria)<\/p>\n The runner-up of Group G will play the runner-up of Group D, Australia<\/a><\/p>\n If the third-placed team from Group G qualifies for the round of 32, they\u2019ll take on the winner of either Group B (Switzerland) or Group I (France)<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Turning our attention back to today\u2019s match, New Zealand<\/a> v Belgium could create history in more ways than one, depending on which team comes out on top.<\/p>\n For New Zealand, a win against Belgium would not only be the biggest win in the All Whites\u2019 World Cup<\/a> history, but it would be their first ever World Cup win full stop.<\/p>\n This is just the third tournament appearance for the World Cup\u2019s lowest-ranked nation (86th) after they qualified first in 1982 and again in 2010.<\/p>\n They lost every game in that first rodeo, but it was in South Africa that they recorded arguably their greatest World Cup result to date, a 1-1 draw against Italy, whom they leapfrogged to finish third (which was, coincidentally, Italy\u2019s last tournament appearance).<\/p>\n A win against world number 9 Belgium<\/a> today could catapult this exciting young group of Kiwis to new, historic heights.<\/p>\n Belgium, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid making a different kind of history. This is their 13th World Cup tournament, having debuted at the first edition in 1930 and been a regular presence since, with their best ever finish coming in Russia 2018 (3rd).<\/p>\n But the team has slowly regressed since then with a shock group stage exit in Qatar 2022 and a round of 16 defeat at the 2024 men\u2019s Euros.<\/p>\n If they lose today\u2019s match, it will be the first time in the country\u2019s almost century-long World Cup history that they\u2019ve failed to make it out of the group stage in back-to-back tournaments.<\/p>\n After today\u2019s incredible Cape Verde result, it feels like anything is possible.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n History for Cape Verde!!!<\/p>\n The World Cup\u2019s smallest nation has qualified for the round of 32 after a third successive draw, holding Saudi Arabia to 0-0 in Houston, Texas.<\/p>\n As soon as the full-time whistle blew, the players sprinted to the sideline to gather around the phones of their coaching staff who were following the live results of the other Group H match.<\/p>\n Slowly, as the full-time result began filtering around the stadium, the players exploded into joy: Spain 1-0 Uruguay.<\/p>\n Uruguay\u2019s loss means the tiny island nation catapults up Group H and into second spot, making it through to the knock-out phase on their World Cup debut. Extraordinary.<\/p>\n It also means both Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, two nations who are hosting the next two World Cups, are OUT.<\/p>\n Cape Verde will now face title-holders Argentina in a true David v Goliath match.<\/p>\n Dailon Livramento celebrates after Cape Verde qualify for the knockout stages. Photograph: Troy Taormina\/IMAGN IMAGES\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.24 EDT<\/p>\n In a nerve-jangling stalemate playing out at the moment, Cape Verde have leapfrogged Uruguay and landed in second spot in Group H while holding out Saudi Arabia. Find out whether the World Cup<\/a> debutants will continue their journey, or whether Saudi Arabia can find a late goal to leap into second spot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n While we\u2019re waiting for New Zealand<\/a> and Belgium to draw closer, Uruguay are on the brink of a World Cup exit after falling behind against Spain. Follow along to find out whether they can find an equaliser to keep their last-32 dreams alive.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble Hello and welcome to the final match day of Group G with New Zealand<\/a> taking on Belgium at BC Place in Vancouver. Kick-off for today\u2019s match will be 8:00pm local time (11pm EDT\/4am BST\/1pm AEST).<\/p>\n This is the third and final match of Group G, with all four teams playing simultaneously to see who will qualify out of one of the tightest groups of this World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n As it stands, just three points separate first from fourth, with Egypt (4) leading the group followed closely by Iran (2), Belgium<\/a> (2), and New Zealand<\/a> (1).<\/p>\n While a number of other fourth-placed teams have entered this final match day already eliminated thanks to Fifa\u2019s new head-to-head ruling, there is still a ray of hope for New Zealand.<\/p>\n Their opening 2-2 draw against Iran<\/a>, combined with Belgium\u2019s two draws in their first two matches, means a win for the All Whites today could see them leapfrog the world number 10 and qualify for their first ever World Cup knock-outs.<\/p>\n Belgium, for their part, currently sit outside the best-ranked third-placed teams after two disappointing performances against Egypt (1-1)<\/a> and Iran (0-0)<\/a>.<\/p>\n They will be particularly frustrated by their performance against Iran last week, which saw Nathan Ngoy receive a straight red card and a side stacked with stars fail to get past the stand-out Alireza Beiranvand in goal.<\/a><\/p>\n All of which is to say that both teams need a win today (though Belgium<\/a> could settle for another draw) to progress to the round of 32.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Egypt are also taking on Iran in Seattle to determine who could top the group and thus secure an easier opponent in the next stage. Jonathan Howcroft is leading that live blog here if you\u2019d like to follow along with both.<\/p>\n
\n Photograph: Albert Gea\/Reuters Photograph: Albert Gea\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Samantha_Lewis.png\")
Sam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\n
Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, USA, Australia, Paraguay, Germany, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Egypt, Spain, Cape Verde, France, Norway, Argentina, Colombia, Portugal, England and Ghana.
And who has been eliminated?
Czechia, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Cura\u00e7ao, Tunisia, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan and Panama.<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\nSam Lewis<\/p>\n