Belgium held 0-0 by Iran as Ngoy is sent off and Courtois shines

Belgium's wait for a first win at the 2026 World Cup goes on after a 0-0 draw with Iran. Nathan Ngoy's red card ended hopes of a late winner, while Jeremy Doku missed the match through illness. The Red Devils dominated possession but created few clear-cut chances, relying on Thibaut Courtois, who produced superb reactions to deny Hossein Kanaani and Mehdi Taremi.

Taremi also had a goal ruled out by VAR for a narrow offside, and Maxim De Cuyper twice stung Alireza Beiranvand's palms. Early in the second half Courtois beat away another Taremi effort and Beiranvand somehow kept out De Cuyper from close range after a Kevin De Bruyne cross.

Belgium were reduced to 10 men when Ngoy fluffed a back-pass and dragged down Taremi, yet De Cuyper came close again late on. Romelu Lukaku, making his first start for club or country in over a year, looked off the pace during his 70 minutes, while Leandro Trossard and De Cuyper provided the more dangerous moments.

Belgium

belgium, iran, 2026 world, thibaut courtois, nathan ngoy, red card, mehdi taremi, hossein kanaani, var, de bruyne