Iran produced a disciplined defensive display to secure a 0–0 draw against Belgium in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earning a hard-fought point in Los Angeles.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: The match, played at SoFi Stadium, saw Belgium dominate possession
in the first half but struggle to break through Iran’s compact defensive
structure. On the few occasions the Belgian attack found space, goalkeeper
Alireza Beiranvand stood firm to preserve the deadlock. Iran
briefly thought they had taken the lead from a set-piece routine, but Mehdi
Taremi’s effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. The turning
point came after Belgium were reduced to ten men in the second half, with
Nathan Ngoy sent off in the 66th minute.
With
the numerical advantage, Iran pushed forward more aggressively after the break
and created several promising moments, while Beiranvand delivered key saves
late in the match. His performance earned him recognition as one of the
standout players on the pitch. The
match was officiated by Argentine referee Darío Herrera, with support from a
mixed international VAR team, while both sides picked up cautions in a tightly
contested encounter that ended without goals but with significant implications
for the group standings.