Belgium Held by Resilient Iran as Ten-Man Red Devils Settle for a Point
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium Striker): "We created plenty of chances but failed to score. That's frustrating. At important moments, we played with too much emotion and not enough composure."
LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2026 – Belgium and Iran remain in search of their first victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after battling to a tense 0-0 draw in Group G at Los Angeles Stadium. The match was highlighted by outstanding goalkeeping performances from Thibaut Courtois and Alireza Beiranvand, while Belgium finished the contest with ten men following a second-half red card.
Belgium controlled possession from the opening whistle, but Iran's disciplined defensive structure frustrated the Red Devils throughout the encounter. Head coach Rudi Garcia handed Romelu Lukaku his first start for club or country since June of last year, hoping the veteran striker could provide the cutting edge Belgium needed.
Despite enjoying nearly 70 percent possession, Belgium struggled to convert their dominance into clear scoring opportunities. Their best early chance came when Youri Tielemans unleashed a powerful effort at the near post, only for Beiranvand to produce an excellent save.
Iran, meanwhile, remained dangerous on the counterattack and from set pieces. Team Melli nearly stunned Belgium midway through the first half when Mehdi Taremi found the net following an inventive free-kick routine. However, celebrations were cut short after VAR confirmed the striker had drifted offside.
The Asian side continued to threaten after the break. Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh, earning his 100th international cap, helped inject fresh energy into Iran’s attack, while Taremi forced Courtois into another outstanding save with a powerful volley.
At the opposite end, Beiranvand demonstrated why he was later named Superior Player of the Match, denying Maxim De Cuyper twice with spectacular low saves that preserved Iran's clean sheet.
The game's decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute when Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card. A heavy touch allowed Taremi to break through on goal, forcing Ngoy to bring him down as the last defender.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for the final 24 minutes, Iran could not find a breakthrough. Courtois remained composed between the posts, ensuring Belgium escaped with a point.
The result leaves both nations with two points from their opening two matches, setting up crucial final group-stage encounters. Belgium will now face New Zealand needing a victory to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Key Statistic
Belgium captain Thibaut Courtois equalled the national record of 17 FIFA World Cup appearances, matching the mark previously held by Belgian legend Enzo Scifo.
Player of the Match
⭐ Alireza Beiranvand (Iran)
Reactions
Rudi Garcia (Belgium Head Coach): "We lacked efficiency in front of goal. We had possession, crosses, and shots, but we didn't test the goalkeeper enough. Playing with ten men made things even more difficult. We know exactly what result we need against New Zealand."
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium Striker): "We created plenty of chances but failed to score. That's frustrating. At important moments, we played with too much emotion and not enough composure."
Match Summary
Belgium 0-0 Iran
🟥 Red Card: Nathan Ngoy (Belgium, 66')
🏟️ Venue: Los Angeles Stadium 🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group G
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