When the whistle blew at SoFi Stadium on June 21, 2026, neither the 70,317 spectators nor the millions watching at home could have predicted the drama that would unfold. Belgium, once a European powerhouse, were reduced to ten men after Nathan Ngoy’s straight red, while Iran’s disciplined defence kept the Red Devils at bay. The 0‑0 result not only left Group G wide open but also highlighted a shifting balance in world football.
From Euro‑2016 Heroes to World Cup Under‑achievers
Belgium entered the tournament with a squad that had, just a decade earlier, been hailed as the continent’s most talented generation. Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku carried the weight of a golden era that produced a semi‑final run at the 2018 World Cup. Yet the Los Angeles encounter exposed a team{