Beiranvand’s seven saves frustrate Belgium as Iran hold on for a goalless draw
Alireza Beiranvand was unbeatable in the Iran goal as ten-man Belgium dominated but could not break through, a 0-0 draw in Los Angeles that sent Iran top of Group G.
Jun 21, 2026
Belgium battered away at Iran for the best part of 90 minutes, had 70 percent of the ball, and still walked off with nothing to show for it. A goalless draw in Los Angeles overnight owed everything to Alireza Beiranvand, whose seven saves kept Iran level and sent them to the top of Group G with a game still to play.
Beiranvand stands in Belgium’s way
Rudi Garcia’s side did almost everything but score. Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings, Youri Tielemans kept the tempo high, and chances came in waves, yet every one of them ran into the Iran goalkeeper. Beiranvand was the best player on the pitch by a distance, throwing himself at shots from De Bruyne and turning away a string of efforts as Belgium piled forward.
The numbers tell the story of the imbalance. Belgium finished with 622 passes and an expected-goals figure of 1.82 to Iran’s 0.63. What they did not have was a goal, and Iran were happy to soak up the pressure and break when they could.
Iran’s let-off and Belgium’s red card
Iran came closest to a goal that would not have stood. Mehdi Taremi turned in a finish in the first half following a clever free-kick routine, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside. It was the sort of moment that might have changed the night, and Belgium were grateful to escape it.
Their task got harder just past the hour. Nathan Ngoy miscontrolled near his own box, let Taremi in behind, and hauled the striker down to earn a straight red card in the 66th minute. Down to ten men, Belgium kept pushing rather than settling for the point, but Iran held firm and saw the game out.
Two games, two draws for the Red Devils
This was a second straight stalemate for Belgium, who were held by Egypt in their opener. Two points from two matches is not the start a side with their attacking talent will have wanted, and the pressure now falls on their final group game to make sure of qualification. Iran, by contrast, are unbeaten and sitting top of Group G after holding one of the tournament favourites.
For all Belgium’s quality, the World Cup has a habit of rewarding teams who defend with this kind of discipline. Iran did exactly that, and in Beiranvand they had the night’s decisive figure. Garcia will know his forwards have to be sharper, because dominating the ball counts for little when the finishing does not follow.