Iran Holds Belgium to a Stalemate in Historic World Cup Clash

In a historic World Cup match, Iran fielded the oldest starting XI since 1966, managing to hold Belgium to a 0-0 draw. Despite Belgium's attacking dominance, they failed to score, marking a significant moment in the tournament. The match saw Belgium reduced to ten men, which allowed Iran to increase their attacking efforts. Both teams now sit with two points in a tightly contested Group G. Discover the full details of this thrilling encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 23:39 IST

Historic Match Overview

Inglewood, USA - On June 22, Iran made a remarkable mark in World Cup history by fielding the oldest starting lineup since 1966, with an average age of 32 years and 181 days, during their 0-0 draw against Belgium. Despite facing significant pressure, the experienced Iranian team managed to maintain their composure and thwart the Belgian attack throughout the match.

Belgium struggled offensively, taking 23 shots without finding the back of the net, marking their highest total in a World Cup match without scoring since 1994. According to Opta, Belgium has now attempted 69 shots in World Cup finals since their last goal was scored by a Belgian player.

The Iranian squad showcased a disciplined and resilient defensive strategy, successfully holding Belgium to a scoreless draw in their second Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday. The match also saw Belgium reduced to ten players after Nathan Ngoy received a red card.

Match Highlights

Belgium started the match strongly, controlling possession and creating several chances early on. Maxim De Cuyper tested Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand with a powerful long-range shot, which he handled with ease. Iran, however, posed a threat on the counterattack and nearly scored in the 24th minute when Mehdi Taremi netted a well-executed free-kick, only for the goal to be disallowed after a VAR review indicated a narrow offside.

Despite dominating much of the first half, Belgium was repeatedly thwarted by Beiranvand, who made several crucial saves to keep the score level as they headed into halftime.

The match took a pivotal turn in the 66th minute when Belgium was reduced to ten men. Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card for a foul on Taremi, who was through on goal due to a defensive lapse. This forced Belgium to adjust their tactics defensively to contain Iran.

Final Moments

This incident marked the eighth red card issued in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the numerical advantage, Iran intensified their attacking efforts, bringing in fresh players and applying consistent pressure on the Belgian defense. However, despite creating several late opportunities, they were unable to convert any into goals.

The match concluded in a 0-0 draw, providing both teams with a crucial point as Group G remains tightly contested. Currently, Iran sits at the top with two points, followed closely by Belgium in second place, while New Zealand and Egypt are tied with one point each.