Belgium Crush New Zealand 5-0: Saelemaekers Shines as Second Milan Scorer at World Cup

FolioPitch.com – 27 June 2026 | In a dominant display that underlined their depth and attacking prowess, Belgium swept aside New Zealand 5-0 in their final group stage match. The headline, as the story goes, is that Saelemaekers gets on scoresheet as Belgium put five past New Zealand, adding a layer of Milanese flair to an already convincing victory. The AC Milan winger came off the bench to score Belgium’s fifth goal, making him the second Rossoneri player to find the net at the World Cup after Rafael Leao’s sublime strike for Portugal.

The match was effectively ended by half-time as Belgium raced to a 3-0 lead through goals from Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku. New Zealand fought valiantly but lacked the quality to trouble the Belgian defense, marshalled by Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. The second half saw Lukaku add his second of the night before Saelemaekers entered the fray in the 72nd minute. With the game already sewn up, the 23-year-old had license to roam and express himself.

His moment arrived in the 88th minute. Lukaku, holding up play on the right, rolled a pass back to the edge of the penalty area. Saelemaekers, arriving with perfect timing, struck a crisp first-time shot that caught the New Zealand goalkeeper off guard and nestled into the bottom corner. It was a finish that belied his reputation as a player still finding his feet at international level. Indeed, Saelemaekers gets on scoresheet as Belgium put five past New Zealand, and his goal was celebrated not just by the Belgian fans but also by the Milan contingent back home.

The goal was only Saelemaekers’s third for the senior national team, but its timing could not have been better. With the knockout stages looming, competition for places on Belgium’s flanks is fierce. Rudi Garcia opted to start Trossard and Doku, both of whom impressed, but Saelemaekers’s cameo will have given the coach food for thought. In ratings published by GOAL, he received a 9 out of 10, with the assessment: “Got his goal right at the end after looking dangerous leading up to it.” The Milan man’s energy and directness offered a different dimension, and he may have done enough to earn a starting spot in the Round of 32.

This is the second consecutive World Cup where AC Milan players have made headlines. Earlier in the tournament, Rafael Leao scored a stunning goal in Portugal’s 5-1 thrashing of Uzbekistan, and Mike Maignan saved a penalty for France. But Saelemaekers gets on scoresheet as Belgium put five past New Zealand, and that moment has added to the growing list of Rossoneri success stories on the global stage. For Belgium, the victory secured top spot in their group and set up a clash with a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the next round.

The performance was not without its concerns, however. Belgium conceded a few chances against the run of play and will face sterner tests ahead. But the firepower upfront, with Lukaku returning to form and the wingers in fine fettle, suggests they can go deep into the tournament. For Saelemaekers, the goal is a timely reminder of his quality. He has often been a fringe player for club and country, but moments like these can change a career. Saelemaekers gets on scoresheet as Belgium put five past New Zealand, and the echoes of that goal will be heard in both the Belgian camp and the Milanello training ground.

In the end, Belgium’s rout was a statement of intent. They are not just contenders; they are entertainers. And with players like Saelemaekers willing to step up off the bench, they have the depth to sustain a long run. The focus now shifts to the knockout rounds, where the real tests begin. But for one night, all eyes were on the AC Milan winger who wrote his name onto the scoresheet in emphatic fashion.