Nathan Ngoy’s 66th-minute red card turned Belgium’s control into crisis, and Iran escaped SoFi Stadium with a 0-0 draw that left both sides still chasing a first World Cup win.
Beiranvand frustrates Belgium control
Belgium had the match on their terms without ever making it theirs. Rudi Garcia’s side held 70% possession, took 23 shots and put 7 on target, but Alireza Beiranvand made the night feel narrower with key stops, including an early save from Youri Tielemans at the near post.
Romelu Lukaku started up front for the first time for club or country since 9 June last year, yet the clearest early invitation went begging when he could not connect with Kevin de Bruyne’s cross inside the opening five minutes.
Courtois denies Iran warning
Iran had only 30% of the ball, 7 shots and 2 corners, but their threat was real. Thibaut Courtois went down sharply to stop Hossein Kanani after a long throw, before Mehdi Taremi finished an inventive 25th-minute free-kick routine only to be ruled offside.
The second half kept the goalkeepers at the centre of the story. Alireza Jahanbakhsh came on for his 100th cap, Courtois saved a powerful Taremi volley, and Beiranvand answered with two low saves to deny Maxim De Cuyper.
Ngoy exposes Belgium pressure
Ngoy’s miscontrol let in Taremi, and the Belgium centre-back pulled him down to earn the match’s decisive disciplinary moment. Iran could not turn the extra man into a winner, but Belgium’s 23 shots without scoring were their most in a World Cup match since 1994.
The draw leaves Iran second in Group G on 2 points and Belgium third on 2, with Iran ahead on goals scored. The live Group G picture also showed Egypt top on 4 points and leading New Zealand 3-1, keeping the pressure on Belgium before a final match against New Zealand in which anything short of victory would leave progress in doubt.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Group Stage - 2. Date & Time: Sunday 21 June 2026, 21:00 CET. Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. Referee: Dario Herrera, Argentina.
