- Full Time
- M. Fernandez-Pardo on for K. De Bruyne87'
- 85'A. Hosseinzadeh on for S. Ezatolahi
- 79'S. Moghanloo on for S. Ghoddos
- A. Theate on for R. Lukaku73'
- 66'M. Mohammadi on for E. Hajisafi
- 66'M. Torabi on for M. Mohebbi
- N. Ngoy66'
- D. Lukébakio on for A. Saelemaekers58'
- H. Vanaken on for N. Raskin58'
- T. Castagne on for T. Meunier58'
- 46'A. Jahanbakhsh on for S. Hardani
- Half Time
- 33'S. Ezatolahi
- 25'M. Taremi
- R. Lukaku3'
- Kick Off
-
1
Maxim De Cuyper5 - 2Kevin De Bruyne5
- 3Dodi Lukébakio2
- 1
Saman Ghoddos2 - 2Shoja Khalilzadeh2
- 3Nathan Ngoy2
Belgium were held to a second draw of their 2026 World Cup campaign on Sunday night, with their Group G match against Iran ending goalless in Los Angeles.
Unsurprisingly, the Red Devils started on top, Leandro Trossard crossing low for Kevin de Bruyne whose shot was well saved by Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran managed to fashion a good chance of their own not long after, Hossein Kanani’s low shot being brilliantly stopped
Team Melli thought they did have the lead before the first hydration break when a smart free-kick was played into Mehdi Taremi, who finished well but was called offside after a VAR check.
Maxim de Cuyper came closest for Belgium before the break with an instictive near-post volley but again, Beiranvand was equal to it and his side were able to hold out until the break.
De Cuyper had an even bigger chance at the start of the second half as the ball broke free to him on the edge of the six yard box but another incredible reaction save from Beiranvand kept the scores level.
Belgium’s afternoon was turning out to be a frustrating one, but it was about to get much worse. Young centre-back Nathan Ngoy miscontrolled the ball and then hauled down Taremi who was threw on goal. The referee showed little hesitation in brandishing his red card and the Red Devils were down to ten.
From there, it seemed both teams were happy to take a point, although Taremi had one further effort from long-range while Dodi Lukebakio’s injury-time effort flew just wide of the post.
Iran will be the happier of the two teams to take a point and Belgium still have work to do against New Zealand despite being overwhelming favourites to top Group G pre-tournament.
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