22 June 2026
Belgium's Golden Generation Stutters in 0-0 Iran Stalemate
A toothless Belgium were held scoreless by Iran in Los Angeles, with Romelu Lukaku looking badly off the pace and Nathan Ngoy sent off, leaving the Red Devils in a precarious Group G position.
Belgium's much-anticipated World Cup campaign is threatening to unravel quietly, as they were held to a goalless draw by Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to Sky Sports.
The Red Devils had Kevin De Bruyne showing flashes of his best and Leandro Trossard working hard on the left, but as Sky Sports analyst Peter Smith noted, Belgium's neat approach play consistently broke down once they reached the box. Romelu Lukaku, returning from a long injury absence at Napoli, looked short of sharpness and struggled with his touch throughout.
Things got worse when Nathan Ngoy was sent off, though Belgium still managed to threaten even with ten men. Left-back Maxim De Cuyper created enough chances alone to have won the match but could not take any of them.
With the absence of the injured Jeremy Doku keenly felt, Belgium now face real pressure in their final group game. As Smith put it, this is a team coming out the other side of an era, and the transition is proving painful.
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