Belgium and Iran battled to a hard-fought goalless draw in their second Group G encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026, a result that leaves both nations with two points and the group finely poised. The match, played at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, was a story of Belgian dominance in possession met by resolute Iranian defending and exceptional goalkeeping from both sides.
How it unfolded
From the outset, Belgium, under manager Rudi Garcia, sought to impose their attacking rhythm, controlling possession and probing Iran's defensive lines. The Red Devils started with Romelu Lukaku leading the line, making his first start for club or country since June of the previous year, while Jérémy Doku was absent due to illness. Iran, meanwhile, adopted a disciplined, compact 5-4-1 formation, aiming to absorb pressure and launch swift counter-attacks.
Watch: Belgium's starting XI for the clash against Iran.
https://twitter.com/BelRedDevils/status/1804245785057038661
Watch: Iran's starting XI for their World Cup encounter.
https://twitter.com/iranteammelli/status/1804245785057038661
The first half saw Belgium create several half-chances, with Youri Tielemans forcing a strong save from Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. However, Iran also posed a significant threat on the break. In the 25th minute, Mehdi Taremi found the net with a cleverly worked free-kick, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. Romelu Lukaku received an early yellow card in the second minute for a collision with Beiranvand, and Saeid Ezatolahi was booked for Iran in the 33rd minute.
The turning point
The complexion of the match dramatically shifted in the 66th minute when Belgium's young centre-back Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card. A miscontrolled backpass allowed Mehdi Taremi to break clear towards goal, and Ngoy's subsequent foul to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity left the referee with no choice but to send him off. This incident forced Belgium to play the final quarter of the match with ten men, providing Iran with a numerical advantage to press for a winner.
Tactical read
Belgium's tactical approach revolved around controlling the midfield through Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, aiming to unlock Iran's deep defensive block. Despite their significant possession (70.3%), they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Iranian defence. Iran's strategy, led by Amir Ghalenoei, was clear: sit deep, remain compact, and exploit counter-attacking opportunities, primarily through the pace and intelligence of Mehdi Taremi. Even with a man advantage, Iran did not abandon their disciplined defensive structure, opting for calculated attacks rather than an all-out assault. The match highlighted Belgium's ongoing struggle to convert possession into goals, a concern that has lingered from previous tournaments.
Key performers
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. He produced a masterclass between the posts, making seven crucial saves, including two particularly impressive stops to deny Maxim De Cuyper in the second half. His heroics were instrumental in securing a valuable point for Team Melli. Belgium's Thibaut Courtois also had a strong outing, making three important saves to keep his side in the game, matching Beiranvand's excellence at times. Kevin De Bruyne was the creative hub for Belgium, constantly trying to orchestrate attacks, though his efforts ultimately proved fruitless against Iran's stubborn defence.
By the Numbers
70.3% Possession for Belgium. Despite dominating the ball for large periods, Belgium found it difficult to break down a resilient Iranian defence. 23 Shots for Belgium. This was Belgium's highest number of shots without scoring in a World Cup game since 1994, highlighting their wastefulness in front of goal. 7 Saves for Alireza Beiranvand. The Iranian goalkeeper delivered a heroic performance, making several crucial stops to keep a clean sheet. 66th Minute Red Card. Nathan Ngoy's dismissal for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity significantly impacted the latter stages of the match. 69 Shots without a goal. Belgium have now attempted 69 shots at World Cups since a Belgian player last scored, a streak dating back to Michy Batshuayi's goal in 2022.
What's next
This 0-0 draw, coupled with earlier draws in Group G (Belgium 1-1 Egypt and Iran 2-2 New Zealand), means all four teams are still in contention for the knockout stages heading into the final round of fixtures. Belgium will face New Zealand, while Iran will play Egypt in their decisive group stage matches. Both teams will need to find a way to secure a victory to guarantee their progression to the Round of 32. The tight nature of Group G sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion as teams vie for qualification. You can follow the latest standings here and team news for Belgium and Iran on Kickoff XI.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
