Ngoy sent off as Belgium held by Iran

Romelu Lukaku said Belgium played with too much emotion.

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran at Los Angeles Stadium  Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images 

World Cup Group G: Belgium 0 Iran 0

Belgium had defender Nathan Ngoy sent off as Iran held firm to earn a second precious World Cup point in Los Angeles.

Ngoy was dismissed after 66 minutes when he carelessly lost control of the ball and stopped Mehdi Taremi bearing down on the Red Devils’ goal.

The stalemate means both sides have drawn two games and will have everything to play for in the final round of Group G matches.

Iran weathered early pressure as Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne went close before posing serious questions of their own.

Thibaut Courtois did well to push away Hossein Kanani’s effort and Iran then found the net with an inventive free-kick.

Ehsan Hajisafi shaped to shoot from 25 yards but instead played a pass to Taremi, who made a gap between the wall and a defender and rolled the ball past Courtois.

Iran’s joy was cut short by a VAR check that showed Taremi was marginally offside.

Courtois came to Belgium’s rescue again in the second half by denying the lively Taremi, while Alireza Beiranvand made two excellent saves from Maxim De Cuyper to secure a crucial point.

Lukaku, who was substituted on 73 minutes, said Belgium "played with too much emotion."

He told Sporza: "It is normal that the disappointment is great.

"We had many chances, but the ball just wouldn't go in. We need to analyze this match. We played with too much emotion. We had a plan, but didn't stay cool enough at the important moments.

"I am satisfied that I was able to play for more than an hour, but of course not with the result. We have to win the next match."