Elijah Just Shines with Third Tournament Goal in All Whites’ World Cup Exit

VANCOUVER — New Zealand forward Elijah Just has cemented his status as a standout performer for the All Whites during their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. On June 26, the Ngāti Whātua-affiliated winger scored his third goal of the tournament in a Group G clash against Belgium at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Despite the All Whites exiting the tournament following a 5-1 loss to the world’s 10th-ranked side, Just provided a significant highlight for New Zealand football fans. His goal arrived in the 84th minute, marking a period of late pressure from the New Zealanders. RNZ reports that it was his third successful strike of this World Cup tournament, demonstrating his consistency against elite international opposition. The match saw New Zealand fighting to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. In the first half, centre back Tyler Bindon—making his first start of the tournament—provided a defensive masterclass with a goal-line clearance to prevent an early deficit. However, Belgium eventually broke through in the 28th minute via Leandro Trossard, who went on to score a second shortly after the break. While Belgium’s veteran star Kevin De Bruyne and all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku added to the tally, the New Zealand side remained competitive. Coach Darren Bazeley had previously emphasised the need for consistency, noting the "harsh reality" of competing against top-tier players. Bazeley praised his team's effort, acknowledging that while they were punished for small lapses, they have shown they can perform at this level. New Zealand’s exit at the group stage follows an earlier 3-1 loss to Egypt. Though the result in Vancouver ends their World Cup journey, the individual brilliance of players like Just and the reliable defensive work of Bindon provide a positive foundation for the future of the national team.