Iran and Belgium share spoils in goalless draw as Ngoy sees red | OneFootball

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Iran extended their unbeaten start to the World Cup by holding 10-man Belgium to another frustrating draw for the Red Devils at the Los Angeles Stadium.

Iran thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the first half when Mehdi Taremi found the bottom corner from a cleverly worked free kick, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a marginal offside.

It was one of several entertaining moments in the opening period, with both Alireza Beiranvand and Thibaut Courtois called into action to keep the game level going into the break.

Iran were then handed a significant advantage in the second half when young Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card after denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Neither side could find a winner, meaning Iran find themselves at the top of Group G on two points. For the Red Devils, the result means they are level on points with Iran, but are second in the group.

As it happened

Belgium and Iran both started Group G with draws and were looking to pick up their first three points of the 2026 World Cup.

There was early dominance from Belgium. Alireza Beiranvand had to be alert when Kevin De Bruyne struck goalwards, forcing a save. The rebound fell kindly to Maxim De Cuyper, but Beiranvand produced another excellent stop to deny him.

It was then Iran’s turn to put pressure on and almost took the lead through an unlikely scorer in centre back Hossein Kanaani. The 32-year-old swivelled and fired goalwards on the half turn, but Thibaut Courtois was equal to it.

Beiranvand was then put into action again when Youri Tielemans shifted the ball onto his right foot and rifled the ball towards the near post, which the Iranian keeper pushed past the post.

Iran thought they’d taken the lead with 25 minutes played.

Captain Ehsan Haji Safi stood over a free-kick 35 yards out and, instead of shooting, played a reverse pass through the Belgian wall, which found Mehdi Taremi, who turned sharply and found the bottom corner.

However, celebrations were cut short as VAR intervened to confirm the Iranian striker was marginally offside.

On the stroke of half-time, the Red Devils tested Beiranvand again. A pinpoint lofted pass from Tielemans found De Cuyper, who guided a volley goalwards, but the Iranian keeper stood in his way once more.

Belgium came out of the blocks flying. Alexis Saelemaekers met De Bruyne’s corner, hammering a volley towards goal, but he could only find the side netting.

It was then Iran’s chance to take the lead. Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh launched a long throw into the box, which was flicked on to Taremi, who swivelled again and volleyed goalwards, but yet again, Courtois was on hand to deny him.

As Iran started to grow into the game, they were handed a huge opportunity, because with 66 minutes gone, Belgium were reduced to 10 men.

Nathan Ngoy, who had been one of Belgium’s standout players, miskicked the ball into Taremi’s path. The striker found himself through on goal, and Ngoy was left with no choice but to pull the Iranian number nine to the ground, denying a goalscoring opportunity.

The game began to open up, but neither side could create a clear-cut chance until the 86th minute. De Cuyper, the Belgian defender, opened his body up and aimed for the far corner, but once again was denied by Beiranvand, who was down sharply to keep the score level.

There was time for one final chance as Dodi Lukébakio sent a looping curling effort towards the far corner and marginally missed the target.

Iran will be pleased with the point and return to action for their final group game on Saturday when they face Egypt. Kick-off is at 04:00 (BST).

As for Belgium, their final group game is also on Saturday at 04:00 (BST), where they’ll face New Zealand, with the hope they can pick up three points for the first time at this year’s World Cup.

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Belgium – Iran Live Score