Belgium see red in goalless World Cup draw with Iran in Los Angeles

Belgium see red in goalless World Cup draw with Iran in Los AngelesNathan Ngoy sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi, whose first-half strike was called offside, in a close Group G match.Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second consecutive World Cup.A star-studded, though ageing, lineup, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, was fortunate to leave Los Angeles with a point on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Mexico City looks to rein in street drinking after massive World Cup partylist 2 of 4What the US-Iran peace deal means for the ‘Team Melli’ World Cup campaignlist 3 of 4US refuses to ease World Cup travel restrictions for Iranian teamlist 4 of 4Egypt coach denies Salah rift as Pharaohs seek first World Cup winend of listBelgium controlled possession yet ceded the game’s best chances to a resolute Iranian defence.Iran’s Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick that was overturned for offside by VAR, while Nathan Ngoy was sent off after the break for hauling down the striker following a badly mishit back-pass.The result means all three games in Group G so far have ended in draws. Stuck on two points, Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game.Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday. Having been frustrated by visa issues while travelling from their base camp in Mexico to play games in the United States, Team Melli will hope to focus on the football as travel restrictions are reportedly easing for their crucial trip to Seattle.For the second Iran game running, protesters from Los Angeles’s large Iranian-American community gathered at the stadium to chant against the country’s current regime.Inside the stadium, Iran’s anthem again drew a chorus of boos and whistles, a reception at odds with the response to the players themselves, who were loudly cheered throughout the game.