Football

FIFA World Cup 2026: Beiranvand’s Seven Saves Earn Iran Historic Draw Against 10-Man Belgium

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand delivered one of the great individual goalkeeping performances in World Cup history, making seven saves to earn Iran a

Ankit Thakur 1 hour ago · 4 min read

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand delivered one of the great individual goalkeeping performances in World Cup history, making seven saves to earn Iran a 0-0 draw against Belgium at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Saturday. The veteran shot-stopper’s heroics — combined with Belgium’s self-inflicted wound of a red card for Nathan Ngoy — ensured that Team Melli came away from one of the tournament’s most anticipated Group G fixtures with a point that keeps their knockout-stage hopes alive.

For Belgium, the result represents a deeply frustrating evening. Domenico Tedesco’s side created enough chances to win three matches but were repeatedly denied by Beiranvand’s brilliance, before compounding their difficulties by going down to ten men in the 66th minute.

Beiranvand: The Wall of Inglewood

Alireza Beiranvand’s performance at SoFi Stadium will enter the annals of World Cup goalkeeping folklore:

First Half (3 saves): Belgium dominated the opening period, controlling possession and creating multiple clear opportunities. Beiranvand denied Kevin De Bruyne with a full-stretch save to his left in the 18th minute, pushed away Leandro Trossard’s curling effort at the near post, and made himself big to block Loïs Openda’s one-on-one after a defensive error. Each save was technically excellent — the positioning impeccable, the reactions instantaneous.

Second Half (4 saves): The pattern intensified after the break. Beiranvand produced his best save of the night in the 58th minute, diving to his right to tip away a De Bruyne free kick that seemed destined for the top corner. He then denied Trossard again from close range, blocked a Dodi Lukébakio header, and made a remarkable double save in stoppage time that drew a standing ovation even from the Belgian fans in attendance.

The Numbers: Seven saves from shots on target. An expected goals against (xGA) of approximately 2.3. A performance that single-handedly altered the outcome of a match that Belgium should have won comfortably on the balance of play.

The Red Card Incident

Belgium’s frustrations were compounded in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Iran’s Mehdi Taremi:

The Incident: Ngoy, attempting to play a ball back to his goalkeeper, miskicked and then lunged into Taremi with a studs-up challenge that left the referee no choice but to show red. It was a moment of panic from a young player on the biggest stage — the kind of error that defines careers in the wrong direction.

Tactical Impact: Down to ten men, Belgium abandoned their attacking ambitions and focused on preserving a point. The final 24 minutes became an exercise in damage limitation rather than goal pursuit — a reality that would have been deeply frustrating for Tedesco, who watched his side create the better chances even with a numerical disadvantage.

Iran’s Discipline

Beyond Beiranvand’s heroics, Iran’s team performance deserves recognition. Team Melli’s defensive organisation — the compact shape, the disciplined marking, the willingness to sacrifice possession for structure — was exactly what the situation demanded. Manager Amir Ghalenoei set up his team to frustrate Belgium, and the plan was executed to perfection.

Iran’s counter-attacking threat was limited but not absent. Taremi and Sardar Azmoun both had half-chances that, on another night, might have stolen all three points. The draw, however, is a result that Iran will take gladly — it keeps them in contention for qualification from a group that also includes Egypt and New Zealand.

Group G Implications

Group G Standings: Belgium (2 pts); Iran (2 pts); Egypt (1 pt); New Zealand (1 pt).

The draw leaves Group G wide open. All four teams can still qualify, and all four teams can still be eliminated. The final round of matches — Belgium vs New Zealand and Iran vs Egypt — will determine the two qualifiers in what promises to be one of the most tense finales of the group stage.

Ankit Thakur

Ankit Thakur is an Editor at Daily Tips overseeing sports and entertainment coverage. A lifelong sports enthusiast with years of journalism experience, he covers cricket, kabaddi, football, esports, and gaming. He also manages the publication's entertainment vertical, bringing insider knowledge and passionate storytelling to every piece.

Ankit Thakur

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