Belgium 0-0 Iran

Iran battled to a decent point against 10-man Belgium and topped World Cup Group G with a 0-0 draw in Los Angeles.

Iran is facing many off-field challenges at this World Cup due to conflicts in the Middle East, with travel bans and visa issues affecting their preparations for the matches. But, on the pitch, they look like a team galvanized.

The point, added in their 2-2 draw with New Zealand, puts them ahead of a Belgian side that have also drawn their first two matches. New Zealand face Egypt overnight – but Iran’s knockout hopes are very much alive.

Both Iran and Belgium know their places in the last 32 of Group G play will be assured.

They showed their spirit with a committed display against Belgium, repeatedly blocking shots from their more inventive opponents and inspired by a superb save from floored goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand when Maxime de Kuyper scored from close range.

But Iran also carried a threat of their own, with Thibaut Courtois forced into two fine saves and Mehdi Taremi’s well-worked free-kick was ruled out by a VAR offside check.

Their ambitions rose when Nathan Ngoye saw red for bringing down Taremi after fluffing a back pass, but there was no winner for either side.

It was deeply disappointing for Belgium, who had 23 shots and posted an xG of 1.8. But Belgium lacked sharpness in the final third, with Romelu Lukaku particularly out of form and Jeremy Doku unavailable due to illness – and Iran took advantage to earn a draw.

Highlights from California…

14: Save! Brilliant stop from Courtois to deny Hossain Kanani against the run of play.

22: Save! Beiranvand sharp to keep a strong Youri Tielemans strike.

25: Goal out! Taremi converted a clever free-kick – but VAR ruled he was offside.

36: Over! Tielemans crosses from the left but Lukaku gets a good headed chance in the air.

44: Save! De Cuyper met a delicious Tielemans chipped pass but Beiranvand kept his volley.

49: Side-netting! Alexis Selmaekers volleyed into the wrong side corner of Kevin de Bruyne’s back post.

53: Save! Courtois is alert again to react quickly and save a Taremi volley.

59: Great save! Beiranvand is on the floor but somehow stops De Kuyper blasting at close range.

66: Red card! Ngoy miscues his pass and then brings down Taremi, denying a clear scoring chance.

What does the result mean?

Lukaku: We play with a lot of passion

Belgium Striker Romelu Lukaku: “We have to analyze what went wrong because we created a lot of chances without scoring, and it’s disappointing. We play with too much emotion in key moments.”

Belgium head coach Rudy Garcia: “We lacked skill up front. We hit the goal, but we didn’t test the goalkeeper enough. Playing with 10 men didn’t help. We’ve had matches like this before and usually scored at least three goals. It’s part of a slow start to the World Cup. At times, we were a bit hesitant. We know exactly what result we need against New Zealand.”

Analysis: Belgium struggle as golden generation fades

Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:

“Belgium benefited from an own goal against Egypt to draw their World Cup opener and, once again, they couldn’t score an own goal here against Iran. There were chances – and big ones – but this Belgium team lacked the necessary sharpness and cutting edge.

“Kevin De Bruyne still showed glimpses of his glory days and Leandro Troussard was busy on the left. But Romelu Lukaku looked awful. He barely played for Napoli last season due to injury and it showed in his touch. He may have played a role in that role with his own goal against Egypt but the Egyptian scored under his own conditions against Iran.

“Left-back Maxime De Kuyper had plenty of chances to win it and even with 10 men, Belgium still threatened late on. But their neat play into the box through De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans was not matched by clinical finishing. The spark from the ill Jeremy Docu was badly missed.

“This is a team coming out of the other end of an era where they were blessed with a lot of talent. They look like a fading force.”

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