Iran holds – Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves as Iran and Belgium played out a 0-0 draw at the World Cup on Sunday, with Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy sent off in the 66th minute after he miskicked a ball and then fouled Mehdi Taremi.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The silence after 90 minutes in SoFi Stadium said enough. Iran and Belgium finished locked at 0-0 on Sunday, and even with Belgium spending the second half a man down, Team Melli couldn’t turn their best moments into a breakthrough.
Alireza Beiranvand was the reason the game stayed scoreless for as long as it did. The Iran goalkeeper made seven saves, denying Belgium chances that arrived as the match stretched into its final stretch. Belgium, though, had its own regrets. The Red Devils generated better looks late. but both sides left the pitch with their second consecutive draw in group play.
The turning point came in the 66th minute. Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card after he miskicked a ball backward and then fouled Mehdi Taremi to stop the Iran star from getting a clean breakaway scoring chance.
Iran couldn’t make that advantage count. Their best scoring opportunities fell earlier in the match. including a beautiful set piece for a goal by Taremi that was ruled offside after video review. Down the stretch. Belgium repeatedly tested Beiranvand—Maxim De Cuyper even fired one “golden opportunity” in the 86th minute. twice denied by Beiranvand in the second half.
Neither team will feel good about the result, but the disappointment carried a heavier edge for Iran. During a World Cup trip marked by travel restrictions and visa denials from the U.S. Iran had a chance to beat a European powerhouse that sits 10th in FIFA’s world rankings. Instead, they missed it in front of a crowd that was packed with fans from the diaspora.
Iran returned to the Los Angeles area for its second straight match under intense emotion. Supporters backed Team Melli loudly, while the anthem was met with boos tied to the Iranian government. Hundreds of Lion and Sun flags were displayed in the stands.
The disruption around the camp has been constant. Iran’s World Cup cycle has been chaotic ever since the U.S. began a war on Feb. 28. The team moved its training base from Arizona to Mexico. and it has been operating under travel restrictions that require it to leave Los Angeles only hours after both matches—something that infuriated coach Amir Ghalenoei.
Belgium arrived with its own set of numbers that only sharpened the frustration. The star-studded Red Devils have yet to score in two World Cup matches. their only goal in the tournament coming via an own goal in their opening draw with Egypt. Even with Belgium unbeaten in its last 15 competitive matches. their attack has been stuck: they have not scored on 53 consecutive shots at the World Cup. dating back to their one goal in the three mostly dismal games they played in Qatar four years ago.
Belgium controlled possession in the first 60 minutes, while Iran carved out dangerous moments whenever the game loosened. Beiranvand and Courtois traded brilliance—Thibaut Courtois matched Beiranvand’s excellence by stopping a handful of Iran chances.
For Belgium, there was also the matter of personnel. Romelu Lukaku was a surprise addition to the starting lineup, playing the first 73 minutes and recording one shot. The club career goals leader missed nearly all of his club season at Napoli with a hamstring injury. and he had played as a substitute against Egypt last Monday. Belgian winger Jérémy Doku missed the match with an illness.
Iran, meanwhile, leaned into experience. Ghalenoei sent out the oldest starting 11 at a World Cup match since 1966, according to Opta.
The night ended with Belgium still searching for its first tournament goal. and Iran still trying to turn an advantage into a decisive moment. For Iran. the chance to seize a golden opportunity slipped away again—and with travel pressure looming almost immediately after the final whistle. the frustration won’t fade quickly.
Iran vs Belgium 0-0 draw Alireza Beiranvand Nathan Ngoy red card Mehdi Taremi offside Thibaut Courtois World Cup group stage SoFi Stadium Jérémy Doku illness Romelu Lukaku starting lineup
0-0 is brutal, dude.
That red card seemed kinda unnecessary? Like one miskick and suddenly it’s over. Also why was that offside goal not counted, I swear they always screw that part.
I don’t even get it—Belgium got a man advantage and still didn’t score, so it’s not Iran’s defense, it’s Belgium choking. Beiranvand making 7 saves is cool but like… Belgium should’ve punished that sooner. Offside calls always decide games anyway.
So Belgium loses time because of one foul and then Iran still can’t score? Sounds like everyone just panicked at the end. Also the FIFA world ranking thing, 10th doesn’t mean anything if they can’t get a goal. I’m more mad about the traveling/visa stuff than the soccer part, tbh.