Belgium draws again, World Cup hopes hinge on final group match

Belgium's path through Group G has turned from a routine march into a nervy final-day test. Rudi García's side drew 0-0 with Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, with kickoff at 12:00 local time, 21:00 in Brussels and 22:30 in Tehran, leaving the Red Devils with two matches without a win and no goal from open play in the World Cup. What was expected to be a comfortable group campaign now hinges on the closing match against New Zealand in Vancouver.

The scoreless result followed Belgium's 1-1 opening draw with Egypt, a match in which its only goal came through an own goal. For a squad packed with established names such as Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, that return is well below the standard Belgium expected when it arrived at its 15th World Cup and fourth in a row. The team came to the tournament trying to improve on third place at Russia 2018, but two dropped results have already put that ambition under strain.

Against Iran, the warning signs were even sharper. Belgium played the final stages with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy was sent off with a straight red card in the 66th minute, and the extra pressure only increased the burden on an attack that still could not find a finish. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand earned Player of the Match honors after making seven saves, repeatedly denying Belgium the breakthrough it needed. Romelu Lukaku started, but the veteran striker could not break the drought.

The wider picture makes the damage more severe. Belgium share Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand, and the last match against New Zealand on June 27 now carries the weight of a knockout tie. A team built to advance smoothly is instead one result away from a serious failure, with García needing a sharper final-third response than Belgium have shown in Los Angeles. The Red Devils still have a chance to save the campaign, but they have already burned the margin for error.