INGLEWOOD: Iran held firm against a late Belgian attack to secure a goalless draw in their World Cup Group G match on Sunday, as goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made a series of excellent saves to deny the 10-man European side.
The result leaves both Iran and Belgium on two points in the group, with qualification still finely balanced. Despite Belgium being reduced to ten men after a second-half red card, Iran were unable to make full use of their advantage, while Belgium were left to regret missed chances in front of goal.
Red Card Shifts Momentum
The turning point came in the 66th minute when Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for pulling down Mehdi Taremi, who had latched onto a loose pass and broken through on goal.
Up to that point, Belgium had dominated the match, although clear chances were limited. Striker Romelu Lukaku was booked early after a challenge on Alireza Beiranvand, setting the tone for a physical encounter.
Iran briefly thought they had taken the lead just before half-time when Taremi found the net from a free-kick routine, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Beiranvand Frustrates Belgian Pressure
Despite playing against 10 men for the final 24 minutes, Iran struggled to build pressure and were pushed back as Belgium looked for a winner. Goalkeeper Beiranvand was the standout performer, producing several key saves, including a remarkable close-range stop to deny Maxim De Cuyper in the second half. His heroics ensured that the match ended level, earning him widespread praise and the player of the match award.
Belgium’s manager Rudi Garcia admitted frustration at his side’s inability to convert chances, while striker Lukaku described the result as “disappointing”, pointing to a lack of composure in decisive moments.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei, however, praised his side’s resilience, saying they had played with “heart” despite difficult conditions surrounding the team during the tournament
