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Belgium held 0-0 by Iran, Ngoy sent off
Belgium had to settle for a goalless draw with Iran in a disappointing affair Sunday that saw the Red Devils drop to 10 men and face the prospect of group-stage elimination for a second straight World Cup.
A star-studded but ageing roster featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku was lucky to get a draw out of Los Angeles, controlling possession but giving up the best opportunities of the match to a stubborn Iran side.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first half free kick which was overruled for offside by VAR, while Nathan Ngoy was sent off after the break for taking down the striker following a horribly mis-hit back pass.
As a result all three Group G games so far have been draws. Belgium sit on two points but at least have the consolation of facing the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, New Zealand, in their final group match.
Iran too need at least a draw against Egypt next Friday. Team Melli have been troubled by visa complications on their travels from their base camp in Mexico to matches in the US and will be looking to focus on the football as travel restrictions are supposedly relaxed for their key journey to Seattle.
In the second straight Iran game, demonstrators from Los Angeles’ substantial Persian exile community held a rally outside the stadium to chant against the country’s hard-line regime.
Inside the stadium Iran’s song again brought a chorus of boos and whistles — a reception not in keeping with the reception to the players themselves who were heartily praised.
Iran sat deep in the first half, having switched to a back five, meaning Belgium were able to dominate possession and play hundreds of passes about their penalty area without producing any clear-cut opportunities.
Target man Lukaku had made an impact as a substitute in Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egpyt and returned to the starting line-up but managed just a solitary headed effort in the 36th minute that soared over the bar.
Iran had the two finest chances of the half, both completely against the run of play. Thibaut Courtois did well to stop a low shot from Hossein Kanani after a long throw-in.
Iran’s renowned scorer Taremi had the ball in the net midway through the half from a brilliantly crafted free kick but it was ruled out for offside.
The ex-Inter Milan star spun off Belgium’s wall, swivelled and hammered the ball into the net, only for VAR to disallow the effort to the frustration of a vehemently pro-Iran crowd.
Belgium huffed and puffed after the interval and Taremi was close again at the opposite end. Courtois was good to deny Kanani’s flick-on from a long pass to the Iran striker.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a quadruple replacement around the hour mark and his side immediately came near, Maxim De Cuyper’s point-blank shot from De Bruyne’s cut-back superbly saved.
Moments later substitute Hans Vanaken smashed a shot from a rebound way over the bar as the Red Devils finally started to knock on Iran’s door in earnest.
But tragedy struck for Belgium as Ngoy saw red. The centre-back had undercooked a ball back to Courtois and put his arm into Taremi as the striker charged through on goal.
It was an anxious, scrappy stalemate but De Cuyper went near again with a low attempt from just outside the box.
Latest News
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurs close to Naples, Italy, resulting in damage and disruptions.
- A magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit the Campi Flegrei area near the southern Italian city of Naples on Friday, causing power cuts, disrupting train and metro services and damaging some buildings, authorities said.
The quake was registered around 7.46 pm (1746 GMT). Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology stated the epicentre was in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples at a depth of around 3 km (2 miles).
The Italian fire department said there had been minimal damage to buildings in and around Naples, but workers had not received immediate demands for help or rescue of occupants.
Local rail and metro services were suspended as a precaution, local officials said.
According to Italian media, it was one of the greatest earthquakes ever registered in the region, with people in some areas pouring into the street as the tremors hit.
The government has increased surveillance of the heavily populated volcanic caldera of Campi Flegrei, which spans much of western Naples and has seen growing seismic activity in the past several years.
The region is regularly hit by tiny quakes but greater ones have stoked fears of a repetition of the seismic crisis that rocked Campi Flegrei in the early 1980s, disrupting life across the region and forcing thousands of people from their homes.
Italy is a country at risk of earthquakes.
Central Italy was hit by severe quakes in 2016, destroying areas of Lazio, Umbria and the Marche provinces, killing over 300 people.
The most destructive in recent decades was a 6.9-magnitude quake that rocked the Irpinia region of southern Italy in November 1980, killing over 2,700 people and destroying hundreds of villages.
Business
For three days, Pakistan lowers the price of petrol and diesel.
For a three-day period starting on August 1, the government has announced a slight decrease in the cost of petroleum products, including gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD).
The Petroleum Division said that the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered by Rs0.66 per litre, resulting in a new retail price of Rs392.38 per litre.
Additionally, the price of gasoline has been lowered by Rs0.12 per litre, to Rs336.03 per litre.
According to the letter, the updated pricing will go into effect between August 1 and August 3.
According to the administration, the little cut was taken after accounting for both domestic economic and budgetary factors as well as global oil costs.
In light of persistent economic pressures and swings in the world’s crude oil markets, the most recent adjustment provides customers with little respite.
The most recent update comes after the government regularly reviews fuel costs, which are decided by the currency rate, domestic tax laws, and global market trends.
Business
FBR surpasses its July revenue goal by Rs40 billion.
In July 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs820 billion in net revenue, exceeding the monthly target by Rs40 billion.
The July tax collection target was set at Rs780 billion, but net receipts came in at Rs820 billion, according to FBR documents.
According to the papers, gross tax collections for the month totaled Rs918 billion. Net receipts were Rs820 billion after Rs98 billion of this sum was reimbursed to taxpayers under different refund categories.
Gross collections under the income tax head was Rs343 billion. Net income tax revenues fell short of the objective of Rs323 billion, coming in at Rs308 billion after the payment of Rs35 billion in refunds.
In July, sales tax collections came to Rs413 billion, while sales tax refunds were Rs53 billion.
The Federal Excise Duty (FED) collected Rs48 billion, compared to the objective of Rs47 billion, according to the FBR.
In July 2026, customs duty receipts totaled Rs115 billion, surpassing the designated objective of Rs105 billion by Rs10 billion.
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