Group G Live Updates: Belgium Takes Second Place
Quick Look
- Belgium secured a 1-0 victory over New Zealand, with Leandro Trossard scoring the decisive goal.
- In another match, Egypt drew with Iran, and Spain and Cabo Verde advanced from Group H.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Group G had all four teams with a chance to progress before the final round of matches. Egypt was already through, leaving Iran, New Zealand, and Belgium to compete for the remaining spots.
Group G live updates
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By Henry Hanson
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New Zealand vs Belgium
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43' Belgium go close twice in Vancouver
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By Henry Hanson
Belgium is finishing this second-half with wind in its sails, creating two big chances in the shadows of the break.
First, Kevin de Bruyne blazes his shot over the bar from inside the penalty area, then Charles De Ketelaere forces a fine low save from New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
Pressure continuing to build in Vancouver.
42' Egypt and Iran trade yellow cards
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By Henry Hanson
Yasser Ibrahim is the second Egyptian player to go in the book, shown a yellow card for a cynical challenge.
Only moments later, Iran's Ali Nemati brings down Mo Salah and is booked as well.
Two bookings a piece in Seattle.
36' New Zealand growing into the game
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By Henry Hanson
The All Whites have finally strung together a promising string of passes, and are able to whip a good early ball into the penalty area.
It's an awkward one for the Belgian defence, and the ball is cleared for a throw.
The ball is hurled into the penalty area and Belgian goalkeeper Thibout Courtois claims the ball.
Good little period for the Kiwis.
28' Belgium in front!
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By Henry Hanson
After 28 minutes of almost relentless pressure, Belgium finds a way through the New Zealand defence.
A corner is whipped in from the left and the All Whites make a meal of dealing with it, letting the ball bounce in the penalty area and then rebound off a Kiwi torso.
Leandro Trossard is on hand to lash the ball home.
That strike moves Belgium into second place, with Iran dropping down to third.
24' Both games pause for a drink
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By Henry Hanson
After dramatic opening quarters in both Vancouver and Seattle, we have a chance to draw breath.
20' Belgium awarded a penalty! But VAR chalks it off!
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By Henry Hanson
Drama in Vancouver!
Leandro Trossard strides forward for Belgium and lets fly from the edge of the penalty area.
The ball flies into the arm of a New Zealand defender from point blank range, and the referee points to the penalty spot!
However, there is a delay as VAR combs through the footage and the referee is eventually asked to consult his monitor on the touchline.
It looks like a really harsh call on Finn Surman, who wasn't looking at the ball and had his arm tucked into his body.
I imagine this one will be overturned.
And yep, the referee reverses his decision, saying Surman had his arm in a natural position.
A reprieve for the Kiwis.
14' IRAN IS LEVEL IN SEATTLE!
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By Henry Hanson
Only moments after Mehdi Taremi had his penalty saved, Iran draws level!
Alireza Beiranvand makes a strong save down to his left, but he can only parry it into the path of wingback Ramin Rezaeian, who produces a smart finish to squeeze the ball in at the far post.
Game on in Seattle!
12' New Zealand clears off the line!
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By Henry Hanson
New Zealand is just about hanging on in Vancouver, and have seen a Belgium shot hit the post.
The ball was then cleared off the line by Tyler Bindin - who, just, somehow, managed to prevent the ball crossing the line.
12' Taremi's penalty is saved!
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By Henry Hanson
What a moment!
Mehdi Taremi has his penalty saved by Mostafa Shoubir, who is down sharply to his left.
9' PENALTY FOR IRAN!
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By Henry Hanson
What a start in Seattle!
Mehdi Taremi is brought down in the penalty area as Mohamed Abdelmoneim attempts to clear.
It's a pretty soft penalty, but the decision stands.
4' Egypt goes ahead against Iran!
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By Henry Hanson
A dream start for the Pharaohs!
Mohamed Salah has the ball in the penalty area and slips a pass across the six-yard box.
The goalkeeper comes and gets the ball away, but it only gets as far as Mahmoud Saber, who threads his shot through a sea of Iranian bodies and into the net.
That's just his second international goal!
We're underway in Vancouver and Seattle
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By Henry Hanson
And Belgium has started with a prolonged spell of possession in Vancouver.
The players enter the arenas in Seattle and Vancouver
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By Henry Hanson
Okay, we have two massive matches ahead of us.
Not often do we begin a final round of matches with all four sides having a chance to progress, but that's the situation in Group G.
Egypt is already through, leaving Iran, New Zealand and Belgium to fight out it for second and third.
The Socceroos will play the team who finishes second.
Pride flags wave in Seattle despite Iran-Egypt pushback
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By Henry Hanson
Iran-Egypt starting XIs
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By Henry Hanson
Egypt
Four changes for the Pharaohs, who currently lead Group G. The big news sees forward Omar Marmoush drop to the bench, while Mohamed Salah is one goal away from equalling his nation's all-time goal-scoring record.
Iran
Two changes for Iran, with both wingbacks replaced.
Belgium-New Zealand starting lineups
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By Henry Hanson
New Zealand
Two changes for the All Whites, with Tyler Bindon coming into the heart of defence for veteran Michael Boxall and Callum McCowatt dropping out for Ryan Thomas further forward.
Belgium
With group-stage progression on the line, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has made a host of changes.
The misfiring Romelu Lukaku has been dropped to the bench, with all of Thomas Meunier, Nicolas Raskin and Alexis Saelemaekers also dropping to the bench.
In a big plus for the Red Devils, exciting winger Jeremy Doku returns to the starting XI after recovering from illness and a brief absence following the birth of his son.
Socceroos to learn their Round of 32 opponent
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By Henry Hanson
So, all eyes now turn to Group G.
All four teams begin the day with group-stage progression still on the table.
The Socceroos will face the team that finishes second in their Round of 32 clash next Saturday morning.
This is how the table looks with New Zealand taking on Belgium in Vancouver and Iran facing Egypt in Seattle.
How Group H finishes
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By Henry Hanson
Spain progress as group winners, while Cabo Verde pick up three points to advance in second.
The tiny island nation will play Argentina in the Round of 32.
Uruguay finish third, but with two points, are out of contention to finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
Open Questions
- Who will Australia play in the Round of 32?
- What are the implications of Spain and Cabo Verde advancing from Group H?