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Football (https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football) Belgium handed World Cup problem in Iran stalemate thanks to Alireza Beiranvand heroics Belgium 0-0 Iran: Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves and Nathan Ngoy’s dismissal leaves one of the fancied teams of the tournament stuck on two points from two games Greg Beacham (https://www.the-independent.com/author/greg-beacham)Sunday 21 June 2026 17:42 EDT • Copy link • Bookmark • Comments (https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/belgium-iran-result-world-cup-2026-beiranvand-ngoy-red-card-b3000042.html#comments-area)Go to comments Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Close Video 2 (https://video.primis.tech/uploads/cn1/video/users/hls/31354/video_691c61a43f372727529437/vid6a37c5ae0f200069730846.mp4/chunklist_1280.m3u8) Powered By 10 Sec 9.6K 0 Gary Lineker explains why he made surprise ITV World Cup appearance Next video in Share Next KEEP WATCHING Gary Lineker explains why he made surprise ITV World Cup appearance Your support helps us to tell the story Read more Support Now (https://www.the-independent.com/donate?regSourceMethod=Donations) From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. 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We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. • *Your support makes all the difference.** Read more Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves while Iran (https://www.the-independent.com/topic/iran) and Belgium (https://www.the-independent.com/topic/belgium) played to a 0-0 draw at the World Cup (https://www.the-independent.com/topic/world-cup-2026)on Sunday, with Team Melli unable to break through after the Red Devils went down to 10 men in the second half. Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute when he miskicked a ball backward and then fouled Mehdi Taremi to prevent the Iran star from getting a clean breakaway scoring chance. Iran couldn’t capitalize, and Belgium actually generated better scoring chances down the stretch — but both teams left with their second straight draw in group play. Recommended • Iran national anthem loudly booed again at World Cup before Belgium game (https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/iran-national-anthem-booed-world-cup-2026-belgium-b3000004.html) • Declan Rice shares impact of ‘obscene’ schedule as England midfielder reveals long-term injury concern (https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/declan-rice-england-world-cup-injury-b2999999.html) • World Cup 2026 golden boot standings: Deniz Undav leads Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe (https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/world-cup-golden-boot-kane-messi-mbappe-haaland-tiebreakers-b2997930.html) Neither team will feel good about the result at SoFi Stadium. During a tumultuous World Cup trip affected by travel restrictions and visa denials from the U.S., Iran will regret missing a golden opportunity to beat a European powerhouse sitting 10th in FIFA's world rankings while playing before a loud, supportive crowd in the Los Angeles area. open image in gallery Iran's Alireza Beiranvand in action with Belgium's Maxim De Cuyper, Iran's Ali Nemati and Belgium's Hans Vanaken(Reuters) Meanwhile, star-studded Belgium has yet to score in two matches at the World Cup, getting on the scoreboard only through an own goal in its opening draw with Egypt. Belgium dominated possession in the first 60 minutes, but Iran had a handful of strong chances stopped by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who matched Beiranvand's excellence. open image in gallery (Getty) Maxim De Cuyper was denied twice in the second half by Beiranvand, including a golden opportunity in the 86th minute. Belgium dominated possession from the start, but repeatedly failed to get behind Iran's defensive shell. Team Melli had the best scoring chances early, including a beautiful set piece for a goal by Taremi — who was ruled offside by video review. Standout Belgian winger Jérémy Doku missed the match with an illness. 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