Belgium draws 0-0 against Iran and remains unbeaten in the World Cup.

Absolute surprise in Los Angeles: Belgium, reduced to ten players for more than twenty minutes, failed to break through the Iranian wall and ended up with a goalless draw, leaving Group G of the World Cup wide open and the Persian team dreaming of the impossible. Iran displayed impressive resilience against a Belgium that featured historic names in the starting eleven but repeatedly stumbled upon Asian determination and the inspiration of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The match, played on Californian soil, was highlighted by the return of Romelu Lukaku to Belgium’s starting lineup – the 33-year-old forward had not been a starter for club or country since June 9 of last year, becoming the third most capped player in the history of the Red Devils. On the Iranian side, Amir Ghalenoei made history by fielding the oldest starting eleven ever in World Cups since 1966, with an average age of 32 years and 181 days. Experience played a significant role in the selections, but it did not prevent Iran from spending much of the first half pinned back in their area.

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Belgium started strong and threatened early, with Maxim De Cuyper making an attempt just seven minutes into the match, following a play initiated by Kevin De Bruyne, but he was consistently met by an inspired Beiranvand. However, it was Iran who nearly silenced the stadium in the 14th minute when Hossein Kanani forced Thibaut Courtois into a monumental save, marking the first major warning from the Asian team. The Belgians responded with total ball possession dominance but continued to struggle with their efficiency, as Youri Tielemans saw another dangerous shot deflected for a corner by the Iranian goalkeeper. The biggest scare came shortly after when Ehsan Hajsafi, with a clever free-kick, set up Mehdi Taremi for a goal that was ruled out for offside after VAR intervention.

Until halftime, the match played out in a familiar pattern: Belgium pressing and Iran holding firm, with Beiranvand shining once again against De Cuyper, who found himself unmarked in the area after a pinpoint pass from Tielemans. In the second half, the scenario remained the same, but Iran began to grow into the game and created danger with quick transitions. Courtois had to step up to deny a volley from Taremi, demonstrating why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Belgium squandered a golden opportunity in the 59th minute when De Bruyne set up an unmarked De Cuyper in the small box, but, incredibly, Beiranvand again denied the goal.

The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Nathan Ngoy, pressured by Taremi, misplayed a back pass and ended up bringing down the Iranian forward, receiving a straight red card from Argentine referee Dario Herrera. The expulsion changed the course of the game, but Iran, even with an extra man, failed to capitalize, showing a lack of creativity in the final third. In the dying minutes, De Cuyper attempted to secure a winning goal for the Belgians, but Beiranvand made his fourth great save of the night, preserving the draw.

At the end of the match, Amir Ghalenoei, the Iranian coach, did not hide his pride in his players: “We showed the world that Iran has the quality to compete with the best. This point is very important for our aspirations,” he stated in the flash interview. On the Belgian side, Kevin De Bruyne lamented the lack of efficiency: “We created enough opportunities to win, but we were not effective. Now we have to respond in the next game,” declared the midfielder.

This draw leaves Belgium needing to win their final group stage match to secure qualification, while Iran, unbeaten in their first two games, nurtures the dream of an unprecedented appearance in the round of 16. The Persian defensive solidity and the ability to endure shown against a top team send clear warnings to upcoming opponents. Group G is heating up, and any slip-up could be fatal. In the coming days, pressure will mount on the Belgian squad, while Iran savors the taste of historic hope. The World Cup thus gains a new protagonist, unexpected but increasingly respected.

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