Belgium's Struggles Continue as They Play to Goalless Tie with Iran at the World Cup

Iran's goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, kept a watchful eye on the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group G match between Belgium and Iran, held at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 21, 2026.

n

The encounter ended in a frustrating scoreless draw for Belgium, who were reduced to 10 men and now face the possibility of group-stage elimination for the second consecutive World Cup, despite fielding a star-studded lineup featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

n

Belgium's lineup, although filled with talented players, was fortunate to escape with a point, as they controlled possession but struggled to create scoring opportunities, with Iran's resolute defense ceding few chances.

n

Mehdi Taremi had a goal disallowed by VAR in the first half, after he scored from a well-worked free kick, and later had another chance when Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling him down after a mis-hit backpass, highlighting Iran's threat on the counterattack.

n

The result means that all three games in Group G have ended in draws, leaving Belgium stuck on two points, although they can take comfort in their upcoming final group game against New Zealand, the tournament's lowest-ranked team.

n

Iran, meanwhile, will need at least a point against Egypt next Friday, and will hope that eased travel restrictions will allow them to focus on the football, after being frustrated by visa issues in their travels from Mexico to the US.

n

Protesters from Los Angeles' Persian exile community gathered outside the stadium, chanting against Iran's hardline regime, while inside, the Iranian national anthem was met with boos and whistles, in stark contrast to the warm reception given to the players themselves.

n

Iran's strategy of switching to a back five and sitting deep in the first half allowed Belgium to dominate possession, but the Red Devils struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Lukaku's solitary headed effort in the 36th minute sailing over the bar.

n

Iran, on the other hand, had the two best chances of the first half, with Hossein Kanani's low shot saved by Thibaut Courtois, and Taremi's disallowed goal, which was expertly worked from a free kick, highlighting their threat on the counter.

n

After the break, Belgium continued to push for a goal, but Taremi again came close, with Courtois saving well after Kanani had flicked on a long throw, as the game remained evenly balanced.

n

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a triple substitution around the hour mark, and his side immediately came close, with Maxim De Cuyper's point-blank effort from De Bruyne's cut-back well saved, as the Red Devils finally began to apply pressure on Iran's defense.

n

However, disaster struck for Belgium when Ngoy was sent off for raising his arm into Taremi as the striker raced through on goal, after the center-back had badly underhit a pass back to Courtois, leaving his team to face a nervy final period.

n

The game ultimately settled into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, with De Cuyper again coming close with a low effort from just outside the box, as Belgium were forced to cling to a point in a match that had slipped away from them.