Belgium held to 0-0 draw by Iran after VAR rules out Taremi goal at World Cup
Courtois heroics and a disallowed Taremi goal defined a tense goalless draw as Belgium slipped further in Group 7.
Belgium and Iran played out a cagey 0-0 draw in their second Group 7 match at the 2026 World Cup on Sunday evening. The result leaves both teams with work to do heading into the final round of group fixtures.
Courtois rescue act
Belgium were indebted to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a stunning reflex save to deny Kanani's powerful volley in the 14th minute. The Real Madrid stopper also reacted sharply to keep out a close-range effort from Mehdi Taremi early in the second half, preserving parity when Iran threatened.
Courtois "saved" Belgium from Olympiacos' Taremi, robbing Iran of an almost certain goal.
VAR agony for Iran
Iran thought they had taken a deserved lead in the 25th minute when Ehsan Hajsafi slipped a clever free-kick pass through the wall to Taremi, who finished coolly past Courtois. However, the Video Assistant Referee intervened, ruling the Olympiacos forward offside by a marginal distance and keeping the score at 0-0.
The ball was in the net but VAR had the final say, wiping out what would have been Taremi's first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
Belgium's missed chances
The Red Devils failed to capitalise on several clear openings. Youri Tielemans saw a firm drive well saved by Alireza Beiranvand in the 22nd minute, while Maxim De Cuyper was denied from close range on multiple occasions, most glaringly when he fired wide of an open goal in the 59th minute after a defensive mix-up.
De Cuyper's miss from an empty net was an incredible wasted chance.
Red card shifts balance
The complexion of the match changed in the 67th minute when Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card, reducing Roberto Martínez's side to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Belgium held firm and even created late opportunities, but De Cuyper was thwarted again by Beiranvand in the 85th minute.
Group outlook
Belgium now have two points from two matches after an earlier draw against Egypt, leaving qualification from Group 7 in the balance. Iran, with one point, remain alive ahead of the decisive third matchday. Both nations will need victories to control their own fate.
