By Norman Mwale
“We could have won by three goals against Iran but we weren’t efficient enough” — Rudi Garcia
Ten-man Belgium were left frustrated after being held to a 0-0 draw by a determined Iran in their World Cup Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday, failing to find a way past a stubborn Iranian defence and goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand who produced a string of match-defining saves. The Red Devils controlled possession 56% to 44% and fired 22 shots to Iran’s seven, yet once again lacked the clinical edge that has plagued their campaign. Belgium’s hopes were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for hauling down Mehdi Taremi after the Iranian forward intercepted a mishit back pass and raced clear on goal. Despite their numerical advantage, Iran struggled to capitalise, creating little as Belgium launched a series of attacks and cranked up the pressure in the final minutes, with Dodi Lukebakio coming closest in stoppage time when his left-footed effort drifted just wide of the post.
Iran actually thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Mehdi Taremi finished a cleverly worked free-kick, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside and encroachment, a decision that preserved Belgium’s clean sheet and kept the game finely balanced. Belgium dominated the opening exchanges and were twice denied by Beiranvand in the first half, the 33-year-old producing a superb save to keep out a powerful Youri Tielemans strike in the 22nd minute before denying Maxim De Cuyper’s point-blank volley in the 59th minute, a stop that many called the best of the tournament so far. Romelu Lukaku, back in the starting line-up after his decisive cameo against Egypt, lasted 73 minutes but could not break through, and the striker admitted the result was a bitter pill to swallow. “We have to analyse what went wrong, because we created so many chances without scoring, and that’s frustrating,” Lukaku said. “We play with too much emotion in key moments.”
Coach Rudi Garcia lamented his side’s wastefulness and acknowledged that qualification now rests on their final match. “We dominated, so tactically and in terms of the game plan we played as we wanted to play. But we were wasteful and lacked efficiency,” Garcia told reporters. “Sometimes you have to win and in this situation you have to win. Obviously, I would have wished to start better but this is part of life.” He praised Ngoy’s teammates for responding well after the red card, adding that playing 30 minutes down a man in a World Cup was “very difficult”, but insisted the Belgian favourites still controlled their destiny.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei was pleased with his side’s commitment despite extraordinary logistical challenges that have forced Team Melli to stay outside the United States between matches. “The conditions have been very hard for us,” he said. “They are playing with their hearts.” Midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh said adversity had strengthened the group: “I think it is part of our culture that in a difficult situation, we perform better. It has united us even more, and that’s one of the things that we’ve shown today. We showed great team character.” Beiranvand, named player of the match, dedicated the point to Iran’s supporters: “I kiss the hands of every single Iranian who was here in the stadium today. There were moments when everyone was chanting, calling out the name of Iran.”
The draw leaves Group G delicately poised with two matches remaining. Iran sit top with two points from two draws, level on points but ahead of Belgium on goals scored after their 2-2 opener against New Zealand. Belgium, also on two points after a 1-1 draw with Egypt in their opener, drop to second. New Zealand and Egypt each have one point and meet on Sunday night, meaning all four teams remain alive heading into the final matchday on Friday 26 June. Iran face Egypt in Seattle knowing victory would send them into the last 16 for the first time in their history, while Belgium must beat New Zealand in Vancouver to secure progression to the knockout phase.
