FT · World: World Cup · Saturday, 27 June 2026

New Zealand 15 BelgiumMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Saturday, 27 June 2026

New Zealand
15
Belgium win
Belgium
> Model verdict
✓ Model called it

Pre-match, Bawler had New Zealand at 12%, draw at 24%, Belgium at 64%. The match ended 1-5 — confirming the model's lean toward Belgium.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Zealand win
12%
Draw
24%
Belgium win
64%
Actual ✓
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
0.852.13
Total 2.98
Actual
15
Total 6 (+3.0 vs xG)

Match overperformed xG by 3.0 goals. Above-expectation scoring — could be finishing, set-piece luck, or genuine attacking quality the model under-rated.

> Bawler's picks · how they landed
Banker
Over 2.5 Goals
Pre-match: 80%
✓ Won
Dark Horse
Over 3.5 Goals
Pre-match: 30%
✓ Won
> What we said pre-match
"Over 2.5 Goals is the play at 80% probability—Belgium's 2.13 xG plus New Zealand's 0.85 creates a combined 2.98 expected goals that rewards the higher total."

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