en
Belgium red card
/ˈbɛl.dʒəm rɛd kɑːrd/
Definition
1
A metaphor for a disastrous, self-inflicted error that forces an entire team or organization to play at a major disadvantage.
2
A specific reference to the 2026 World Cup incident where Nathan Ngoy's defensive blunder and subsequent professional foul left the Belgian national team a man down.
Examples
My decision to reply to that email during the company-wide meeting was an absolute Belgium red card for my career.
He really did a Nathan Ngoy, turning a simple back pass into a Belgium red card that ruined the whole evening.
Trying to explain 'the vision' to the investors while your presentation deck was still showing the previous client's data was a classic Belgium red card.