Iran play 10-man Belgium to 0-0 draw at FIFA World Cup 2026 with stellar effort from goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand

Iran produced one of the most resilient performances of the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far as they held Belgium to a hard-fought 0-0 draw in a tense Group G encounter, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand emerging as the undisputed hero of the night.

The Iranian shot-stopper delivered a string of crucial saves to frustrate Belgium's star-studded attack and secure a valuable point that could prove decisive in the race for a place in the knockout stages.

Belgium entered the contest under pressure after drawing their opening match against Egypt and were desperate for a victory to strengthen their qualification hopes. The Red Devils enjoyed the majority of possession and created several dangerous opportunities, but they repeatedly found Beiranvand standing in their way.

The match took a dramatic turn midway through the first half when Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mehdi Taremi, who appeared to be through on goal. Reduced to 10 men, Belgium were forced to adjust their tactics while Iran sensed an opportunity to claim all three points.

However, despite their numerical advantage, Team Melli struggled to break down a disciplined Belgian defence. The European side remained compact and continued to threaten on the counterattack through Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Beiranvand's finest moments came after the interval. The experienced goalkeeper denied Lukaku with a superb reflex save before producing another outstanding stop to keep out a long-range effort from De Bruyne. His commanding presence in the penalty area inspired confidence throughout the Iranian backline as Belgium pushed for a late winner.

Iran also had their chances, with Taremi and Sardar Azmoun testing the Belgian defence, but neither side could find the breakthrough in a match dominated by defensive determination and goalkeeping excellence.

The goalless draw leaves Group G delicately poised heading into the final round of fixtures. Iran remain firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 32, while Belgium face increased pressure to secure a positive result in their final group-stage match.

For Iran, the result was built on discipline, organization and the brilliance of Beiranvand, whose performance is likely to be remembered as one of the standout goalkeeping displays of the tournament.

As the final whistle sounded, Iranian players rushed to congratulate their goalkeeper, fully aware that his heroics had earned them a point that could shape the course of their World Cup campaign.

With a decisive clash against Egypt looming, Iran will hope to carry the momentum from this resilient display, while Belgium must quickly rediscover their attacking edge if they are to avoid an early exit from the tournament.