Belgium’s search for a first win at the FIFA World Cup 2026 continued after they were held by Iran in a Group G fixture at the Los Angeles Stadium on Monday.
Having already drawn their opening match against Egypt, Belgium were forced to settle for another point. Their challenge became tougher in the second half when Nathan Ngoy was sent off, leaving the side with ten players for the remainder of the contest.
Ngoy’s sending was the eighth red card brandished in the campaign, levelling the combined total of reds in 2018 and 2022 editions of the quadrennial spectacle.
The Red Devils had 23 shots against Iran without scoring, their most at the quadrennial since Belgium’s 1994 WC game against Saudi Arabia, in which they had 28 shots without netting
one.
The result means Belgium are still without a victory in the tournament, collecting two points from their opening two matches in Group G.
Earlier, Spain delivered an emphatic performance to secure a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Group H clash at the Atalanta Stadium in the United States. Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal were the standout performers as La Roja cruised to all three points.
Spain made a bright start and moved ahead in the 11th minute through Yamal, who scored his first goal of the competition to put the former champions in front.
Oyarzabal then extended Spain’s advantage, responding strongly after facing criticism for his display in the scoreless draw against Cabo Verde, a match in which he failed to record a touch during the opening 30 minutes.
The forward soon added a second goal to his tally, putting Spain 3-0 ahead and firmly in control before the interval.
Saudi Arabia’s difficult evening worsened when Hassan Altambakti turned the ball into his own net, sealing a commanding four-goal win for Spain.
