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Twenty-two shots. Fifty-nine per cent of the ball — double that of their opponents. A man sent off. And still no goal. Belgium left the Los Angeles Stadium with a 0-0 draw that felt, in every way, like a defeat. Alireza Beiranvand was the reason. Iran’s goalkeeper was extraordinary throughout this FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group G encounter — repelling wave after wave of Belgian pressure, collecting the Player of the Match award, and keeping his country firmly in the running for the knockout rounds. Belgium, reduced to ten men from the 66th minute, will look back on this evening with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.
The Collision That Set the Tone
Two minutes in, the match had its defining moment. Romelu Lukaku attempted an early strike on the edge of the box — and collided heavily with Beiranvand as the goalkeeper rushed out to close him down. Lukaku received a yellow card. Beiranvand received extensive medical attention before eventually continuing. It was a bruising, unsettling start — and it immediately established the physical intensity this game would carry till the last minute.
Iran Threaten, Belgium Waste, VAR Intervenes
Against the run of play, Iran created the first genuine chance of the match. In the 14th minute, Hossein Kanani swivelled inside the box and struck a powerful shot that Thibaut Courtois pushed away with a sharp, low reflex save. Belgium responded — Youri Tielemans unleashing a fierce near-post drive in the 22nd minute that Beiranvand beat away safely. The goalkeepers were both earning their keep.
Then came the moment that changed the game’s mood entirely. In the 25th minute, Iran executed a brilliant short free-kick routine — Ehsan Hajsafi slipping a pass through the Belgian wall to Mehdi Taremi, who spun and slotted it low past Courtois. The stadium held its breath. VAR reviewed the move. Taremi, marginally offside at the moment the pass was played, had his goal taken away. Iran had done everything right. A matter of centimetres was the difference.
Just before the break, Tielemans chipped a delicate ball over the defensive line to Maxim De Cuyper, whose clean volley was held comfortably by Beiranvand. Belgium went into the dressing room still level, and still searching.
Beiranvand’s Masterclass Continues
Belgium came out with purpose after the break. Kevin De Bruyne swung a deep corner to the back post in the 49th minute — Alexis Saelemaekers met it cleanly on the volley, only to direct it just wide into the side-netting. Iran responded on the counter in the 53rd minute: Taremi caught a long throw on the volley and forced another alert save from Courtois.
The 59th minute produced the save of the match. De Bruyne threaded the ball into the centre of the box, and De Cuyper arrived to fire from point-blank range. Beiranvand, already on the ground, somehow extended himself to make a spectacular recovery save. It was the kind of stop that wins awards and changes careers. Belgium stood and stared. Iran celebrated as if their keeper had scored.
Ten Men — Ngoy’s Moment of Panic
The game was turned on its head in the 66th minute. Belgian centre-back Nathan Ngoy miscontrolled a routine back-pass, leaving the ball in open space with Taremi closing in fast. Sensing a clear run on goal, Ngoy panicked — and pulled the Iranian striker down. The referee did not hesitate. Straight red card. Belgium down to 10 men for the final 24 minutes, and Taremi unable to continue after the foul, adding to a bruising evening for the Iran striker.
Lukébakio Goes Agonisingly Close
Belgium, to their enormous credit, kept pushing. Late substitute Dodi Lukébakio cut inside from the right flank in the 90th minute and curled an effort towards the far post with his left foot. It missed by centimetres. The crowd gasped. The match ended 0-0. Twenty-two shots, a man advantage for the final quarter of the game, and still nothing.
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Group G — and What This Means
Both Belgium and Iran drew their opening fixtures and now sit on two points apiece after two matches. Iran edge ahead in the Group G standings on goals scored. With one round of group games remaining, neither side can afford another draw. The stakes for both nations just got significantly higher.
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