Belgium See Red: Lukaku’s Return Ends in Frustrating 0-0 vs Iran

10-Man Belgium held by resilient Iran in goalless World Cup draw

World Cup Group G: Iran earned a 0-0 draw vs 10-man Belgium to stay unbeaten. Lukaku started for the first time since June 2024, but Belgium’s winless run at finals stretched to four matches.

Iran hold 10-man Belgium to 0-0 draw as World Cup struggles continue...

Iran showed grit again to earn a 0-0 draw against 10-man Belgium in World Cup Group G. That result means they’ve gone unbeaten through their first two matches at the tournament for the first time ever.

The big pre-match story in Los Angeles was the veterans, with 33-year-old Romelu Lukaku starting for club or country for the first time since June 9 last year. The start also moved the striker up to third on Belgium’s all-time caps list.

Iran boss Amir Ghalenoei set a World Cup record by fielding the oldest starting XI since 1966, with an average age of 32 years and 181 days.

Ghalenoei’s veteran lineup barely crossed halfway before halftime. Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper tested Alireza Beiranvand early after a Kevin De Bruyne shot deflected his way.

But Iran almost stunned Belgium in the 14th minute with their first real attack. Hossein Kanani smashed a shot toward goal and forced Thibaut Courtois into a sharp low stop.

Beiranvand pushed Youri Tielemans’ shot around the post as Belgium kept up the pressure. The Red Devils caught a break in the 25th minute though - Ehsan Hajsafi dummy’d a 30-yard free-kick and slipped Mehdi Taremi through to score low in the corner. VAR ruled it out for offside.

Belgium went back on the attack after that, and Beiranvand was called into action again near halftime. He denied De Cuyper, who ran onto Tielemans’ through ball and tried a first-time volley.

The second half followed the same script - Belgium had most of the ball, but Iran looked more dangerous. Courtois had to pull off another big save to keep out Taremi’s volley.

Belgium’s best opening came just before the hour mark. De Bruyne brought the ball down beautifully and laid it off for De Cuyper from six yards, but Beiranvand somehow kept it out.

Iran defended stubbornly all game and got a break midway through the half. Nathan Ngoy misjudged a backpass, dragged down Taremi, and referee Dario Herrera showed him a straight red.

Ghalenoei’s team couldn’t turn their man advantage into goals. Beiranvand denied De Cuyper again late on - his fourth save from the left-back - after De Cuyper spun and shot.

Still, Iran will be happy with a second straight draw given everything happening off the pitch. Belgium, meanwhile, really missed Jeremy Doku, and their winless World Cup streak now sits at four games - 3 draws, 1 loss.

Both teams are on two points after two matches, so their last group games might decide who goes through. Belgium play New Zealand in Vancouver, while Iran face Egypt in Seattle.