Belgium and Iran both bid for their first win of World Cup 2026 in a crunch Group G clash in Los Angeles.
Iran, having entered the tournament with increased scrutiny of the ongoing war with co-hosts the United States, had their national anthem loudly booed once again.
And Mehdi Taremi looked to have given them a shock lead against the Red Devils, only for VAR to rule out the goal due to offside and encroachment.
The build-up to Iran’s second game has involved politics once again, with coach Amir Ghalenoei criticising their increasingly difficult preparation conditions and questioning why US authorities appear willing to offer his team greater travel flexibility for their final group game but not their opening fixtures.
Iran are commuting to the US from Tijuana, Mexico and Ghalenoei said his team were only able to train for “half the time” they would usually spend on preparations. Follow the latest from Belgium v Iran, below
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
52 mins: Khalilzadeh heroically blocks a De Cuyper shot in a region where he will be feeling that for a while.
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
50 mins: Saelemaekers almost hit the target with a great volley at a tight angle just beyond the back post of a long corner from De Bruyne.
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
47 mins: Lovely bit of skill from Trossard to wrong foot the defender on the edge of the box and feed De Bruyne who has his shot blocked and out for a throw-in
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
46 mins: We are back underway and we will be hoping for a bit more action on both sides in the next 45 mins.
Iran make the only change as Hardani makes way for Jahanbakhsh
Half-Time: Is Lukaku a problem?
Having not started a game for club or country this season, it’s not a surprise to see that he is off the pace. Lukaku hasn’t had the pace to chase down some passes or the timing to be there to put his head on a cross and we haven’t really seen him use his physicality to any effect yet.
Has he earned a second-half appearance?
Half-time: Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
Belgium go into half-time with no reward for their domination. They are struggling with finding the right final pass, or Lukaku’s positioning is off, depends on who you want to blame.
Iran have kept them at bay but have not made any real dent in Belgium’s half with the disallowed goal as their only real chance of the game so far
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
45+7: Into our seventh minute of stoppage time and Iran have defended valiantly, but have not created anything for themselves which will need to be a focus for the second half.
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
45 mins Belgium can’t seem to crack the code here, Tielemans and De Bruyne are giving it everything but it just doesn’t look as though it is clicking with Lukaku.
Could see a half-time sub.
Belgium 0 – 0 Iran
41 mins: Well you don’t see this very often, Meunier took too long on his throw-in and the referee as punished him by reversing his decision and giving the throw-in to Iran
