27 June 2026
De Bruyne Breaks Record as Belgium Rout New Zealand 5-1
Kevin De Bruyne scored and became the oldest Belgian ever to net at a World Cup as Belgium finally hit their stride with a emphatic win over New Zealand.
Belgium put their stuttering start to the tournament firmly behind them with a 5-1 demolition of New Zealand that sent them into the World Cup knockout stage, Reuters reports. After managing just one goal in their opening two games, the Red Devils finally looked like the threat many expected them to be.
The standout individual moment belonged to Kevin De Bruyne, who Reuters reports struck low from the edge of the box after a sharp one-touch combination with Leandro Trossard. The goal made the 34-year-old the oldest player ever to score for Belgium at a World Cup, drawing chants of his name from the Belgian supporters who packed out BC Place.
New Zealand's goalkeeper did what he could and Elijah Just forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois in the second half, but Belgium were simply too strong on the day. The result puts Belgium into the knockout rounds with a statement win.
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