Trossard and De Bruyne fire Belgium into the last 32

Belgium blow New Zealand away 5–1, win the group

Your team needed a performance. You got one. Belgium 5–1 New Zealand in Vancouver on Saturday, and a group that looked like a trap door suddenly feels like a launchpad (1) (4) (8).

Leandro Trossard scored early, Hans Vanaken kept things ticking, and Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne put the game beyond doubt in the second half. Voetbal International called Trossard magnificent and praised Vanaken as "a quick thinker with good passes" (9).

Three goals in the opening 30 minutes killed any tension. Belgium win Group G and go straight into the round of 32.

Wednesday in Seattle, opponent still unknown

The knockout round starts fast. Belgium play Wednesday at 10pm Belgian time in Seattle, and the opponent is still a moving target (1) (3). Your team face a best third-placed side, and Sunday's Algeria vs Austria match will help decide who that is (2) (3).

Garcia hits back: "That's ugly"

Rudi Garcia did not hold back. "They've been heavily criticised, and I think that's ugly. They've shown on the field that they are immense players, and all Belgians should be proud to have players like them," he said after the match (5). The frustration is real, two draws had the whole camp under a microscope, and Garcia clearly felt the criticism crossed a line.

Marc Degryse wasn't convinced by Garcia's tone. "I found the coach's reaction at the press conference honestly quite strange," the pundit said (8). Degryse still sees a man under pressure, even after a 5–1 win.

De Bruyne: "A special moment"

Kevin De Bruyne did not hide it. After a difficult season, he spoke about relief and joy after his first World Cup win of the campaign (4). He looked sharp throughout, pulling the strings in midfield and getting on the scoresheet.

Courtois pumps the brakes

Not everyone is dreaming big. Thibaut Courtois made it plain: Belgium are not "contenders" yet (10). The goalkeeper's realism is worth noting, one big win does not erase the questions from the group stage, and tougher tests are coming.

No training today, family day instead

The squad earned a breather. Training was cancelled and replaced with a family day (1). After two tense draws and an explosion of goals against New Zealand, the reset feels well-timed.

A Belgian analyst could win it all, with Portugal

Stijn Campo works for Roberto Martinez now. The Belgian analyst joined Portugal's staff after Martinez left the Belgian FA, and he is deep in a World Cup run with Cristiano Ronaldo and company. "It was very special to suddenly see Cristiano Ronaldo sitting there," Campo said (6).

Gladbach loan Pereira Cardoso to La Louviere

A small transfer note: Borussia Mönchengladbach have sent goalkeeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso on loan to RAAL La Louviere in Belgium (7). The young keeper goes looking for playing time in the Belgian league.

Fan-reaktioner

Arsenal fans on Reddit are already celebrating Trossard's opener, one supporter posted a pitch-level video of the goal, and the thread is filling with appreciation for the winger's timing and finish. Watch the clip here.