Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand makes a save at the Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, U.S. on June 21, 2026. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Ten-man Belgium were left frustrated after being held to a 0-0 draw by a determined Iran in their World Cup Group G clash in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 21, 2026), failing to find a way past the stubborn Iranian defence.
Belgium’s hopes were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mehdi Taremi after the Iranian forward had intercepted the defender’s mishit attempted pass and was through on goal.
Yet despite their numerical advantage, Iran struggled to capitalise, creating little as the Belgians launched a series of attacks and cranked up the pressure in the final minutes.
Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand repeatedly saved his side with crucial interventions, including an extraordinary stop from a point-blank-range effort from Maxim De Cuyper in the second half.
Iran have two points and will next face Egypt in Seattle on Friday while Belgium, also on two points, play New Zealand in Vancouver.
Belgium dominated the first half but created few clear opportunities, their attacks failing in front of goal.
The opening exchanges set a physical tone when Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was yellow-carded three minutes in for a lunging attempt at a ball in front of goal that put Beiranvand on the grass for minutes.
Iran found the net just before the first-half hydration break when a free kick allowed Ehsan Hajisafi to make a clever pass through the wall to Taremi, who scored but was ruled offside following a VAR check.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had said on Saturday that Lukaku needed his playing time managed, but started with the striker against Iran and kept him on the pitch until the 74th minute.
Iran’s team have been forced to stay outside the U.S. between matches due to extraordinary measures by the American government, which has also banned a number of Iran team staff and officials.
The atmosphere was charged, with Iran’s team receiving loud cheers before the match and chants of “I-ran, I-ran” throughout from vocal supporters who outnumbered Belgium fans in the more than 70,000-seat stadium.
While there were small protests outside the stadium and pre-revolutionary flags being flown and worn both outside and inside, the pre-match political intensity was muted compared to their opener, which coincided with the announcement of a U.S.-Iran peace agreement.
Published – June 22, 2026 03:44 am IST
