Iran Top Group G After 0-0 Draw With 10-Man Belgium
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- Iran moved to the top of World Cup Group G via the 0-0 draw with Belgium at SoFi Stadium (attendance 70,317) on Sunday 21 June, combined with their earlier 2-2 result against New Zealand, giving them the edge on goals scored.
- Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card in the 66th minute for bringing down Mehdi Taremi after miskicking a back pass — denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and leaving Belgium a man down for the final stretch.
- Belgium racked up 23 shots and an xG of 1.8 but failed to score, with the match report singling out Romelu Lukaku as "particularly off form," including a skied headed chance in the 36th minute.
- Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand produced the match's standout moment, somehow blocking Maxim De Cuyper's close-range volley while still on the floor in the 59th minute.
- Mehdi Taremi had a 25th-minute free-kick goal ruled out by a VAR offside check, and was later denied by a sharp Thibaut Courtois save in the 53rd minute.
- Iran are dealing with off-field challenges at this World Cup — travel restrictions and visa issues tied to Middle East conflict — but "look like a team galvanised," according to the report.
- New Zealand face Egypt overnight, meaning Iran's grip on the group summit and their hopes of reaching the knockout stage remain alive pending that result.
Why it matters: Iran go top of the group on goals scored despite off-field disruption from Middle East conflict, while Belgium — ranked among the favourites — managed 23 shots and 25 minutes with a man advantage without scoring, exposing a sharp drop-off in attacking sharpness with Lukaku misfiring.
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