Belgium has defeated New Zealand 5-1, topping Group G and advancing to the round of 32.
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The loss leaves the All Whites—who came into the match with an against-the-odds shot at a knockout berth—eliminated from the tournament.
The game marked Vancouver’s fifth 2025 FIFA World Cup match, and the last one in the group stage.
Here’s a recap of the match.
9:59 p.m. PT: Belgium wins 5-1
With seconds left in the game, Alexis Saelemaekers delivered one more goal—giving Belgium a 5-1 victory.
The team will win Group G and advance to the round of 32.
Second place remains up the air, with Iran and Egypt still tied at 1-1 in Seattle.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9:50 p.m. PT: Lukaku scores
Less than a minute after New Zealand got on the board, Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku scored the team’s fourth goal with a header.
It was the first touch of the match for Lukaku, the Red Devils’ all-time top goalscorer.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9:46 p.m. PT: One for the underdogs
New Zealand’s Elijah Just managed to strike one into the net in the 84th minute—his third goal of the tournament.
The underdogs’ point triggered a thunderous cheer that filled B.C. Place.
It also pushed Belgium back down to second place in Group G.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9:28 p.m. PT: Kevin De Bruyne scores
Superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, one of the biggest names in Vancouver during the 2026 World Cup, scored Belgium’s third goal in the 66th minute.
The goal—which De Bruyne sent across the keeper into the bottom corner—puts Belgium at the top of Group G.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9:12 p.m. PT: Second goal for Trossard
Belgium has doubled its lead with a second goal from Leandro Trossard, who caught a rebound and managed to volley it past New Zealand’s goalkeeper.
The All Whites managed their first shot on net minutes later, but the team has a tough road ahead.
This is Belgium’s sixteenth World Cup, and New Zealand’s third.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9:08 p.m. PT: First yellow card
The first yellow card of the match went to New Zealand’s Marko Stamenic, who sent Youri Tielemans tumbling in the 46th minute.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
8:53 p.m. PT: Halftime
Belgium leads 1-0 after keeping the heat on the All Whites through the first half.
The team has only lost one World Cup match while leading at halftime.
So far, New Zealand hasn’t had a single attempt on goal.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
8:28 p.m. PT: Belgium scores
Leandro Trossard took advantage of a pause by New Zealand’s defence, tapping a bouncing ball into the back of the net.
The goal marked Belgium’s second of the 2026 World Cup.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
8:15 p.m. PT: Relentless attack, no goals
Some 15 minutes into the match, New Zealand has yet to have a string of possession, with Belgium keeping intense pressure on the All Whites.
There have been no goals though, despite a shot from the Red Devils’ Leandro Trossard that came just shy of crossing the line.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
8:01 p.m. PT: Moment of silence
Following the national anthems—first New Zealand’s “God Defend New Zealand,” then Belgium’s “La Brabançonne”—the packed stadium observed a moment of silence for the victims of Venezuela’s earthquake.
The death toll has reached 920, with more than 3,300 others injured.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
7:55 p.m. PT: Must-win for New Zealand
New Zealand supporters are filing into B.C. Place in hopes of seeing their squad get a win on the board.
Fans spending time in Vancouver had the chance to see the All Whites on Monday, but Egypt played spoiler with a 3-1 comeback win.
The All Whites remain winless all time in the FIFA World Cup.
The team is captained by Chris Wood, who plays club soccer for Nottingham Forest of the English Premier League.
Wood is considered to be one of the best players from New Zealand to play the sport, and has two assists, but zero goals so far in the tournament.
James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
7:35 p.m. PT: De Bruyne and company on the pitch in Vancouver
Warmups are underway at B.C. Place, and one of soccer’s biggest names is getting his first touches in.
A parade of Belgium fans marched down the last mile ahead of game time, all showing their excitement to see Kevin De Bruyne and the Red Devils take on New Zealand in a must-win match.
Outside of Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium’s roster features his Napoli teammate Romelu Lukaku, who ranks second all-time among European men in international goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Lukaku has only started one game so far this World Cup, being held off the score sheet entirely.
James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
7:03 p.m. PT: Starting lineups
Kickoff is an hour away. Here’s are the starting lineups for Belgium and New Zealand.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
5:35 p.m. PT: Fans embark on Last Mile march
There was a sense of excitement—and some anxiety—among supporters of the two footballing nations as they marched toward B.C. Place late Friday afternoon.
The match is the last of the group stage games in Vancouver before the knockout round begins, and could give New Zealand an opportunity to advance for the first time ever, against the odds.
“We’re going to do it tonight, easy,” one All Whites fan said during the Last Mile march. “We got Kosta Barbarouses, we got Chris Wood, so many great players.”
Friday was the first rainy day of Vancouver’s hosting duties, but that didn’t seem to put a damper on anyone’s excitement.
Ben Miljure, CTV News Vancouver
4:38 p.m. PT: Lively pre-match parties
There was much anticipation building at Vancouver bars on Friday, where groups of New Zealand and Belgium fans gathered—separately—to gear up for the match.
Some Belgium fans at The American on Main Street were anxious, their Top 10 team dangerously close to elimination.
“Either way, we’ll drink the whole evening,” one Belgium fan told CTV News. “Either it will be with tears or joy.”
Between the two countries, thousands of fans have flown out to watch the World Cup in Vancouver.
Rob Buffam, CTV News Vancouver
3:45 p.m. PT: Star player in Vancouver tonight
Tonight’s match brings star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to Vancouver.
De Bruyne is among the biggest names playing in the city through its hosted FIFA World Cup matches. The 34-year-old is playing in his fourth World Cup and has helped Belgium to success in the past, as his squad captured bronze with a third-place finish in 2018.
De Bruyne is without a goal or an assist so far in the 2026 tournament, but will look to follow the example of fellow superstar Mohamed Salah, who scored the go-ahead goal for Egypt in Vancouver earlier this week.
The Belgian captain is best known for his time with Manchester City, but he currently plays club soccer for Napoli in Italy’s top league, Serie A.
James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
2:50 p.m. PT: Province investigating ticket complaints
Consumer Protection BC is investigating complaints about ticket reseller StubHub from people who say they didn’t receive their World Cup tickets, British Columbia’s attorney general says.
Niki Sharma said in a statement on Friday that reports people in B.C. purchased tickets from StubHub but didn’t get them “are deeply concerning” and that she understands the investigation is to determine if any laws have been broken.
“While I cannot comment on this investigation directly, and StubHub has publicly committed to honouring its refund guarantees to fans, I want people to know they may have options available to them if they have been affected,” Sharma said.
“The Ticket Sales Act promotes transparency and accountability in ticket sales and sets out when someone may be entitled to a refund. The act bans selling tickets that a business doesn’t actually own or control.”
Sharma said major events like the World Cup should be an exciting experience and people should not have to worry about whether the tickets they purchased will be honoured.
Earlier this week, CTV News reported that one B.C. couple was stuck outside B.C. Place stadium after the tickets they bought on StubHub were not transferred into the official FIFA ticket app as promised.
The Canadian Press and CTV News Vancouver
11:50 a.m. PT: Belgian fans ready to put on the pressure
Belgium drew 1-1 in their first match against Egypt in Seattle and it was a 0-0 with Iran in Los Angeles. It needs to at least draw against New Zealand Friday to move on, and New Zealand needs a win to make it through the group stage.
Red Devils fans Michael and Yoshi told CTV News the pressure is certainly on.
“If we lose, it’s over. We’re not supposed to lose, but still it can happen and it makes us nervous,” Michael said.
“Fans are putting pressure on the players. I hope that there will be a little changes to the team as well, because the previous games were not good,” he continued. “The quality is there, and we are supposed to even win the group, but so far we didn’t even win a game. So let’s hope the pressure is not too much, and we can get the victory tonight.”
Kaija Jussinoja, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
11:30 a.m. PT: Mom-son duo a World Cup first
When New Zealand player Tyler Bindon takes the field tonight, his mother will be watching from the stands and will know first-hand the pressure he is feeling in the moment.
Jenny Bindon represented New Zealand at both the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups. Her 21-year-old son’s entry into the tournament last week made history as the World Cup’s first ever mother-son duo.
“It’s a pretty surreal moment,” Bindon told CTV News on Friday. “We’re happy for him to have this opportunity to be able to be here in Canada to follow his dreams.”
New Zealand is currently 84th in FIFA rankings. Getting a win against the 10th-ranked Belgium will not be easy.
Todd Coyne, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
9 a.m. PT: Can you bring an umbrella?
With rain in the forecast Friday, fans should know there are restrictions around umbrellas at Vancouver’s official FIFA World Cup venues.
B.C. Place has confirmed that small personal umbrellas are allowed—but larger ones, such as beach umbrellas and golf umbrellas, are not.
The website for the FIFA Fan Festival in East Vancouver lists umbrellas as prohibited, along with blankets, lawn chairs and coolers.
Umbrellas are encouraged during rainy days at the Shipyards in North Vancouver.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
8 a.m. PT: Road closures return
As with previous FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver, there will be road closures in effect as a result of Friday’s match between New Zealand and Belgium.
The stretch of Granville Street between Davie and Georgia streets—which was transformed into a pedestrian zone for the entirety of the tournament—remains closed to traffic as well.
TransLink service changes have been implemented to make it easier for people to get around on transit in the meantime.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
6:15 a.m. PT: Pre-match events sold out
The Flying Kiwis—the New Zealand supporters’ club—had already sold out two pre-match events the day before Friday’s game, at Blarney Stone and Portside.
Organizers have since opened up tickets to a third venue.
“Connect, share and have a singalong with kiwis from around the world and we’ll have an amazing day,” the invite reads.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
New Zealand a win away from first knockout berth
The All Whites are hoping to beat the odds Friday, with a win against Belgium positioning the team to potentially advance out of the group stage.
A win—paired with Egypt and Iran playing to a draw—would put New Zealand second in Group G, and therefore the knockout rounds.
“We’re now in a game where we win, we go through,” coach Darren Bazeley said Thursday.
The Associated Press
Belgian team arrives at VYR
The Belgium national football team—known as the Red Devils—arrived Thursday at Vancouver International Airport.
The squad, which finished third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, drew against Egypt and Iran during its first two matches of the tournament.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
