Beiranvand's seven saves earn Iran a goalless draw with ten-man Belgium

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves and a Mehdi Taremi goal was ruled out by VAR as Iran held a dominant Belgium to a 0-0 draw. Belgium finished with ten men after Nathan Ngoy's red card.

Iran produced one of the great backs-to-the-wall performances of the World Cup, holding a dominant Belgium to a 0-0 draw at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The hero was unmistakable: goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves to keep the Red Devils out and send Iran to the top of Group G.

Belgium controlled almost everything but the scoreline. They had twenty-two shots to seven and more than two thirds of the ball, Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings and Romelu Lukaku leading the line. Wave after wave crashed against the Iranian defence, and wave after wave broke on the same rock.

That rock was Beiranvand. The veteran known as the Wall of Persia, whose journey from sleeping rough as a boy to three World Cups is one of football's great stories, turned in a masterclass. He beat away drives, clawed efforts from his corners and commanded his box, and every save lifted the men in front of him.

Iran were not just defending, either. They thought they had stolen it on twenty-seven minutes when Mehdi Taremi found the net from a free-kick, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside. It was the closest either side came to a breakthrough all night.

Belgium's frustration boiled over on sixty-six minutes. Young defender Nathan Ngoy, handed a start by Rudi Garcia, was shown a straight red card for a professional foul, and the Red Devils had to see out the final half hour with ten men. The dismissal summed up an evening that simply would not go their way.

For Iran, this was a statement of resilience. Amir Ghalenoei's side rode their luck at times, but they defended with discipline and heart, and a second straight draw after their opener against New Zealand leaves them on top of a tight Group G. Our Asia round-one verdict flagged Iran as awkward opponents, and Belgium found out exactly why.

The point keeps everything alive at the top of the group. Iran and Belgium both sit on two points, with New Zealand and Egypt a point behind, and the final round of fixtures will settle who goes through. Belgium, fresh from a draw with Egypt, will know they cannot keep wasting this much possession.

For Kenyan fans, and for anyone who loves an underdog, this was a night to savour. A fancied European side throwing everything forward, and an Asian team digging a trench and refusing to yield, marshalled by a goalkeeper at the very top of his game. Beiranvand alikuwa ukuta usiku huu: Beiranvand was a wall tonight, and Iran will not forget it.