The persistent frustration of Belgium’s golden generation deepened under the Los Angeles sun as Iran, anchored by a superb Alireza Beiranvand, held the 10-man Red Devils to a 0-0 draw at SoFi Stadium. Despite dominating possession and registering 22 shots, Belgium lacked the cutting edge to break down a disciplined Iranian rearguard, and a second-half red card to Nathan Ngoy turned a search for victory into a salvage operation. Iran, who had a Mehdi Taremi goal disallowed for offside after a VAR review, celebrated a point that leaves them top of Group G on goal difference and on course for a historic knockout-stage berth.

Belgium flew out of the blocks, hemming Iran into their own half and forcing early saves from Beiranvand, who would finish with seven stops. Yet it was Iran who thought they had landed the sucker punch in the 25th minute, when Taremi swept home from a cleverly worked free-kick. The stadium erupted before VAR intervened, ruling the Olympiacos forward marginally offside. Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating and Romelu Lukaku a physical presence, continued to press but found Beiranvand in inspired form; the 33-year-old clawed away a low Maxim De Cuyper drive in the 58th minute and smothered a later Lukebakio attempt. Ngoy’s dismissal in the 66th minute—after a mis-hit backpass left Taremi racing clear—reduced Belgium to 10 men, yet Iran, unable to exploit the man advantage, watched Thibaut Courtois match Beiranvand’s excellence with a series of his own point-blank saves.

The result leaves Group G on a knife-edge. Belgium and Iran have two points apiece after drawing their opening matches—against Egypt and New Zealand respectively—while the other two sides meet later on Sunday. In Brussels, the inquest will focus on a blunt attack that has scored only once, via an own goal, across two matches. Tehran’s media, meanwhile, celebrated the team’s resilience under extraordinary circumstances: the squad has been forced to base itself in Tijuana, Mexico, flying into the United States only on matchdays because of diplomatic restrictions. Outside the ground, small protests by the Iranian diaspora were visible, but inside the noise was overwhelmingly in support of Team Melli.

For Belgium, the equation is simple: beat the lowest-ranked New Zealand in Vancouver on Saturday or face elimination from the World Cup’s group stage for the second time in three editions. Iran, needing at least a point against Egypt in Seattle, will hope the logistical burden does not finally take its toll. Both matches will kick off simultaneously, ensuring that this group of draws goes down to the wire.