Belgium 0-0 Iran
There were no goals in Los Angeles, but Iran left with another valuable point and renewed belief after holding Belgium to a goalless draw in a World Cup Group G contest.
Taking the spotlight was Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who delivered an excellent performance all game, including the match’s defining moment shortly before the hour mark, an extraordinary double intervention to deny Belgium what seemed a certain opener.
Kevin De Bruyne’s clever work on the byline created a clear opening for Maxim De Cuyper inside the six-yard box, but Beiranvand, already stranded after attempting to cut out the cross, somehow recovered from the turf to thrust out a firm left hand and block the effort before gathering the loose ball.
It ensured parity remained as Iran earned a second consecutive draw. The Middle Eastern side have had a difficult tournament. They have faced travel restrictions in the US that have meant they camp in Mexico but then play their games across the border in the US. Yet they put in another resilient display to get a draw against a higher-ranked opponent, after sharing points with New Zealand in the first game.
Both Iran and Belgium will be disappointed in some way with this result, and in other ways relieved. Iran may feel they missed an opportunity to defeat a European heavyweight after playing against 10 men for nearly half an hour, while Belgium failed to convert possession and chances into goals but were lucky not to fall behind after losing Nathan Ngoy to a red card just after the hour.
Now the European side are under pressure heading into their final group match against New Zealand, which they must win to qualify for the knockouts.
Belgium dominated possession here and had good opportunities, but the fact that they have failed to score a goal in any of their two matches played shows clear scoring problems. Romelu Lukaku, making his first start in more than a year after injury problems, struggled to influence proceedings, while the absence of the ill Jeremy Doku deprived Belgium of the pace and trickery the winger could provide on the flanks.
Iran, meanwhile, threatened intermittently and thought they had taken the lead in the first half. Mehdi Taremi finished expertly after an inventive free-kick routine that slyly cut through Belgium’s wall, only for a VAR review to rule the striker narrowly offside. Taremi remained Iran’s biggest attacking threat and repeatedly tested Belgium’s defence with his movement and hold-up play.
Both goalkeepers excelled. Thibaut Courtois reacted sharply to deny Hossein Kanaanizadegan and later produced a reflex save from Taremi following a long throw into the penalty area. At the opposite end, Beiranvand continued to frustrate Belgium, making a string of important stops as De Bruyne attempted to dictate the tempo.
The game swung further in Iran’s favour in the 66th minute when Ngoy was shown a straight red card. After playing an atrociously short back pass, the Belgium centre-back hauled down Taremi as the striker raced through on goal and was dismissed.
But Iran were unable to seize the numerical advantage. Belgium remained the more threatening team, although there was one moment when De Bruyne lost possession in his own half and Saeid Ezatolahi seized on the chance with a clear sight of goal, but Courtois was equal to the effort. Beiranvand then capped his performance with another important save from De Cuyper in stoppage time and both teams could walk away with points shared.
