Lukaku and Trossard fire Belgium past New Zealand, Senegal next

Belgium smash New Zealand 1–5, win the group

That was the response. Belgium 5–1 New Zealand, the group is yours, and the Round of 32 is set (5) (9). Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard both scored as Rudi Garcia's side finally found the cutting edge that went missing against Egypt and Iran. Your team goes into the knockout stage with momentum, not panic.

Senegal on Wednesday in Seattle, 22:00 Belgian time

One game. That is all that separates Belgium from the last 16. Senegal await in Seattle on Wednesday at 22:00 Belgian time (5) (8) (9). A Honduran referee will officiate (9). Lukaku is not taking it lightly: "Senegal will be our toughest opponent of the tournament" (6).

Trossard expected fit, Lukaku firing

Leandro Trossard is expected to be match-ready after a calf concern (2). Romelu Lukaku, meanwhile, held what Belgian media are calling the best press conference of the World Cup. "I don't feel like a has-been, no," he said, adding: "If they come looking for me, they can get it" (4). The striker is in the mood.

Hazard: "We can become world champions"

Eden Hazard has gone big. In a video message, the former captain said he believes Belgium can become world champions (1). A bold prediction, but after 1–5, why not.

Penalty prep underway

Goalkeeper coach Guy Martens confirmed the squad is practicing penalties after every training session. "There are certain tricks," he said (7). In the knockout stage, that work could decide everything.

Fan reactions

Belgian fans are riding the high. A 1–5 win flips the mood from group-stage anxiety to genuine belief, and Hazard's comments have only added fuel. The main debate now: which lineup does Garcia pick for Senegal? On the wider World Cup front, Japan's Round of 16 exit at the hands of Brazil, their third consecutive last-16 elimination, has fans reflecting on Belgium's 2018 comeback win over them as a high point of that generation. See the discussion.