Nathan Ngoy despatched off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi, whose first-half strike was known as offside, in an in depth Group G match.
Printed On 21 Jun 2026
Belgium had been held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a irritating encounter that noticed the Pink Devils lowered to 10 males and going through the potential for group-stage elimination for a second consecutive World Cup.
A star-studded, although ageing, lineup, together with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, was lucky to go away Los Angeles with a degree on Sunday.
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Belgium managed possession but ceded the sport’s greatest possibilities to a resolute Iranian defence.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi had the ball within the internet from a well-worked first-half free kick that was overturned for offside by VAR, whereas Nathan Ngoy was despatched off after the break for hauling down the striker following a badly mishit back-pass.
The end result means all three video games in Group G to this point have led to attracts. Caught on two points, Belgium at the very least have the consolation of enjoying the event’s lowest-ranked staff, New Zealand, of their closing group sport.
Iran will even want at the very least a degree in opposition to Egypt subsequent Friday. Having been pissed off by visa issues whereas travelling from their base camp in Mexico to play video games in america, Group Melli will hope to give attention to the soccer as journey restrictions are reportedly easing for his or her essential journey to Seattle.
For the second Iran sport working, protesters from Los Angeles’s giant Iranian-American group gathered on the stadium to chant in opposition to the nation’s present regime.
Contained in the stadium, Iran’s anthem once more drew a refrain of boos and whistles, a reception at odds with the response to the gamers themselves, who had been loudly cheered all through the sport.
Having switched to a again 5, Iran sat deep within the first half, permitting Belgium to dominate possession and play a whole bunch of passes round their penalty space with out creating any clear-cut alternatives.
Goal man Lukaku, again within the beginning lineup after making an affect from the bench in Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, managed a solitary headed effort within the thirty sixth minute, which sailed over the bar.
Iran had the primary half’s two greatest possibilities, completely in opposition to the run of play. Hossein Kanani’s low shot after an extended throw was properly saved by an outstretched Thibaut Courtois.
And Iran’s star striker Taremi had the ball within the internet halfway by way of the half after a cleverly labored free kick, nevertheless it was dominated offside.
The previous Inter Milan man spun away from Belgium’s wall, swivelled and buried the ball, earlier than VAR overruled the trouble, to the dismay of a vocally pro-Iran crowd.
After the break, Belgium continued to huff and puff, whereas Taremi once more almost scored on the different finish. Courtois did properly to avoid wasting after Kanani had flicked on an extended throw to the Iran ahead.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a triple substitution across the hour mark, and his aspect instantly got here shut – Maxim De Cuyper’s point-blank effort from De Bruyne’s cut-back was properly saved.
Substitute Hans Vanaken blasted a shot from a rebound properly over the bar moments later, because the Pink Devils lastly started to knock on Iran’s door in earnest.
However catastrophe struck for Belgium as Ngoy was despatched off. The centre-back had badly under-hit a cross again to Courtois and raised his arm into Taremi because the striker raced by way of on aim.
The sport settled right into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, although De Cuyper once more got here shut with a low effort from simply exterior the field.
