Belgium Held to Goalless Stalemate by Resilient Iran in 2026 World Cup Clash

Belgium's World Cup encounter with Iran ended without either side finding the back of the net, despite the European team's sustained attacking pressure throughout the match.

The Belgians came out aggressively from the opening moments, creating their first opportunity within the second minute. However, the early momentum was disrupted when Romelu Lukaku received a yellow card in the third minute following a collision with Iranian goalkeeper Beiravan, which briefly halted proceedings as the goalkeeper required medical attention.

Belgium's attacking threats mounted steadily in the first half. Kevin De Bruyne's attempt from distance in the seventh minute sailed wide, while a coordinated move involving Trossard's cross and De Bruyne's shot in the ninth minute was thwarted by Beiravan's exceptional save. De Kuper's follow-up shot was also denied by the Iranian goalkeeper's sharp reflexes.

Iran responded with their own dangerous moment in the 14th minute when Kanaani, positioned inside the penalty area after a corner, sent a shot narrowly deflected by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Trossard's pass in the 16th minute and Meunier's cross later in the period kept Iran under siege, though Tielemans squandered a clear chance in the 22nd minute when his shot was blocked.

A significant moment arrived in the 25th minute when Mehdi Taremi appeared to have broken the deadlock for Iran, but video review determined the goal should be disallowed. Belgium maintained their dominance, controlling 77.97 percent of possession in the final quarter-hour of the opening period compared to Iran's 22.03 percent, yet this territorial advantage failed to yield goals.

The second half saw Belgium continue their onslaught. De Bruyne tested Beiravan with a shot in the 46th minute that was deflected to a corner, followed by another attempt from a free kick in the 49th minute that Nemati deflected away. Salmaekers and Trossard both had chances that went unconverted by the 52nd minute.

Beiravan proved instrumental once again in the 53rd minute, blocking a Taremi shot, while a remarkable save by the Iranian goalkeeper in the 57th minute denied what appeared to be an open goal after De Kuper's shot. Belgium introduced fresh attacking options in the 58th minute with substitutions bringing on Hans Vanaken, Dodi Lukebakio, and Timothy Castagne.

The complexion of the match shifted dramatically in the 66th minute when Nathan Ngovi received a red card, reducing Belgium to ten players. Iran made corresponding changes, introducing Milad Mohammadi and Mehdi Torabi. Belgium subsequently brought on Arthur Thiete to replace Lukaku in the 73rd minute.

With numerical advantage, Iran sought to capitalize on their opportunity. Mohammadi's cross in the 76th minute found no taker, while Saeed Ezzatullah's powerful shot in the 80th minute was turned aside by Courtois. Despite their one-man disadvantage, Belgium pressed forward relentlessly in the closing stages. De Bruyne delivered a cross in the 84th minute that the Iranian goalkeeper handled expertly, and Tielemans was unable to convert the resulting chance.

De Kuper wasted Belgium's best opportunity in the 86th minute with another blocked shot, before late efforts from Trossard in the 90+2nd minute and Lukebakio in the 90+5th minute failed to find their targets. The final whistle confirmed a scoreless result, marking a contest defined by Belgian superiority in possession and Iranian defensive resilience, with both goalkeepers delivering commanding performances.