Belgium’s World Cup campaign remains stuck in neutral after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Iran on Sunday, extending the Red Devils’ winless run and leaving qualification from Group G hanging in the balance.
After opening their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, Belgium were expected to respond against an Iranian side ranked below them. Instead, Domenico Tedesco’s men delivered another underwhelming display as they failed to find a breakthrough despite dominating possession for long spells.
Perhaps there is something about Sundays Belgium would rather forget.
For the second consecutive Sunday at the World Cup, the Red Devils dropped points, this time finishing the match with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy’s dismissal midway through the second half.
The result leaves Belgium with just two points from their opening two matches and still searching for a first victory of the tournament.
Belgium’s Hans Vanaken, Kevin De Bruyne and teammates look dejected after the match. Photocredit: AFP
The pre-match focus in Los Angeles centred on experience. Romelu Lukaku returned to Belgium’s starting lineup for his first start for club or country since June last year, a milestone appearance that elevated him to third on Belgium’s all-time caps list.
Iran, meanwhile, made history of their own before a ball had even been kicked. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei named the oldest starting lineup in World Cup history since records began in 1966, with an average age of 32 years and 181 days.
Yet it was the supposedly ageing Iranian side that once again showed discipline, organization and resilience on football’s biggest stage.
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Belgium controlled possession from the outset and nearly took an early lead when Kevin De Bruyne’s effort fell kindly to Maxim De Cuyper, whose shot was comfortably gathered by Alireza Beiranvand.
However, Iran quickly demonstrated they would not simply sit back and defend.
Their first meaningful attack almost produced a shock opener in the 14th minute as Hossein Kanani forced Thibaut Courtois into an excellent low save.
Belgium continued to probe, with Youri Tielemans testing Beiranvand, but Iran thought they had struck first midway through the opening half. A clever free-kick routine released Mehdi Taremi, who calmly finished beyond Courtois, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Belgium monopolized possession but repeatedly ran into the inspired Beiranvand, who produced a string of outstanding saves.
Alireza Beiranvand (33) wins the Superior Player of the Match award for his performance vs Belgium!
The Iranian goalkeeper denied De Cuyper multiple times, including a remarkable stop from close range after a brilliant move involving De Bruyne.
At the opposite end, Courtois was equally important, producing a crucial save to keep out Taremi’s dangerous volley as Iran continued to threaten on the counterattack.
Belgium’s evening dramatically took a turn midway through the second period when Ngoy badly under hit a back pass and was left desperately chasing Taremi.
The defender eventually hauled down the Iranian striker as he raced through on goal, leaving referee Dario Herrera with little option but to produce a straight red card.
Belgium went down to 10 men after Nathan Ngoy is sent off
Suddenly Belgium faced the final stages with a numerical disadvantage. yet despite having an extra player, Iran could not find the decisive goal. The Belgians dug deep, while Beiranvand remained unbeatable, denying De Cuyper once again late in the contest.
At the finalΒ Iran celebrated a second successive draw and a historic achievement, having now gone unbeaten through their opening two World Cup matches for the first time ever.
Belgium, meanwhile, were left with more questions than answers. the Red Devils have now gone four World Cup matches without a victory, drawing three and losing one. Their attack, despite boasting stars such as De Bruyne and Lukaku, has yet to click consistently in North America.
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With two points from two games, Belgium now face a must-win clash against New Zealand in Vancouver, while Iran take on Egypt in Seattle.
Group G remains finely poised, but after another Sunday stumble, Belgium can no longer afford to leave points on the table if they are to avoid an early World Cup exit.
