Three games in, Belgium have finally kick-started their World Cup - ESPN

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — For Belgium, it proved to be 76th time lucky. Four years, 433 minutes and 76 shots on from Michy Batshuayi's half-volley against Canada in Qatar, Leandro Trossard was the man to finally end his country's FIFA World Cup goal drought.

The finish — a prodded effort from close range — will not go down as the most eye-catching in the Arsenal forward's impressive collection but it will certainly be remembered as one of his most important, setting Belgium on their way to a 5-1 victory over New Zealand and thereby securing their passage to the 2026 knockout stages as Group G winners.

Having drawn their first two games — against Egypt and Iran respectively — Rudi Garcia's side were in desperate need of some inspiration, with their only previous goal at this World Cup having come when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany bundled the ball into the back of his own net on Matchday 1. While any acclaim after Friday's win in Vancouver will be tempered by the fact Belgium were facing a New Zealand team currently ranked 86 in the world, it is hard to escape the feeling that this was the night they finally arrived at the tournament.

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Following back-to-back lacklustre performances, a brace from Trossard, a silky second-half finish from Kevin De Bruyne plus late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers punctuated a much-improved display that should help boost morale ahead of a round of 32 tie against an as yet undecided third-placed team in Seattle on Wednesday.

For much of the last few weeks, it has