Belgium Edge Iran in Tense World Cup Thriller: Red Devils Find Their Groove in LA
By Marcus Hale, Senior Football Correspondent Los Angeles, June 23, 2026
You could feel the electricity crackling through SoFi Stadium even before kickoff. The sun was dipping low over Inglewood on what was technically a Monday evening match (thanks to that transatlantic scheduling quirk), but the atmosphere screamed prime-time drama. Belgium versus IR Iran in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Two teams sitting on a solitary point each after scrappy opening draws, knowing full well that a slip here could turn their knockout dreams into dust.
I’ve covered my share of these big tournaments, from the rain-soaked pitches of Europe to the cauldrons of the Middle East, but there’s something special about a World Cup night in California. The crowd was a beautiful mosaic—Belgian fans in their devil horns and red scarves mixing with the passionate Iranian diaspora waving tricolours, all under those sleek, spaceship-like stadium lights. By the time the final whistle blew on a 3-1 Belgium victory, the Red Devils had taken a commanding step toward the last 16, while Iran were left pondering what might have been.
The Preview: Expectations, Anxieties, and the Weight of History
Let’s rewind a few days. Belgium arrived in the States with the weight of a golden generation that never quite glittered as brightly as hoped in Qatar 2022. Under manager Rudi Garcia, they’d looked solid in qualifying—unbeaten, scoring freely—but that opening 1-1 draw against Egypt in Seattle had raised eyebrows. A sluggish start, an early Emam Ashour stunner for the Pharaohs, and a late own-goal rescue act thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s introduction. Kevin De Bruyne admitted post-match it was “not our best,” but the squad had that quiet confidence. They knew their quality.
Iran, meanwhile, had served up a wild 2-2 with New Zealand. Twice coming from behind, showing the resilience that has defined Team Melli for years. Coach Amir Ghalenoei’s side has always been more than the sum of its parts—organized, physical, dangerous on the break. Mehdi Taremi up top, the veteran leadership of players like Ehsan Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian in defense. This was their chance to finally break out of the group stage curse that has haunted them through seven previous World Cups.
The head-to-head? Zilch. First-ever meeting. Analysts gave Belgium a 65-70% win probability, but anyone who’s watched Iran at a major tournament knows they thrive when underestimated. The pitch at SoFi was pristine, the weather balmy—perfect conditions for a footballing chess match.
In the build-up, the Belgian camp buzzed with quiet determination. De Bruyne, still pulling strings at 34, spoke about legacy. Lukaku, battling back from inconsistent club form, looked hungry in training clips. For Iran, Taremi was the focal point—the man who could turn one moment of magic into national pride. Social media was ablaze with predictions: Belgians dreaming of a statement win, Iranians posting defiant montages of past upsets.
Tactically, Garcia was expected to tweak things. Maybe start with more intensity from the get-go, involve Jeremy Doku’s blistering pace earlier. Ghalenoei? Sit deep, frustrate, hit on the counter with the pace of players like Mohammad Mohebi or Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Classic underdog blueprint.
Match Analysis: Tactics, Turning Points, and Individual Brilliance
The game kicked off with Belgium pressing high, just as many predicted. Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana anchored the midfield, winning early duels and feeding De Bruyne. But Iran were compact. Their 4-4-2 or whatever variation Ghalenoei settled on—solid banks of four, quick transitions—made life awkward. Thibaut Courtois had to be alert early when a Rezaeian cross caused panic in the box.
First half was cagey. Belgium had more of the ball, around 58-60% possession, but clear chances were scarce. Doku was lively on the left, cutting inside and forcing a good save from Alireza Beiranvand. Iran’s best moment came midway through when Taremi held up play brilliantly before laying off for a shot that whistled just wide. You could sense the tension—Belgium’s experienced heads knew they couldn’t afford another slow start like against Egypt.
Half-time: 0-0. Garcia would have been barking about urgency. Lukaku was on the bench, warming up like a caged lion.
The second half exploded. Just six minutes in, the breakthrough. De Bruyne, drifting into that pocket of space he owns like no other, threaded a delicious pass to Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal man took a touch, shifted onto his right foot, and curled one into the far corner. 1-0 Belgium. The Belgian end erupted—flags waving, chants of “Diables Rouges” echoing. Classic De Bruyne magic. That assist was his 38th or whatever in international play; the man is a machine.
Iran responded with heart. They pushed forward, and around the 55th minute, they got their reward. A swift counter: Jahanbakhsh involved, ball into Taremi, who held off his marker and slotted past Courtois. 1-1. Pandemonium. Iranian fans in the stands were jumping, drums pounding. It was a goal that encapsulated everything great about this team—resilience, directness, clinical finishing when it mattered.
But Belgium’s depth told. Garcia hooked Charles De Ketelaere and brought on Lukaku. Big Romelu. The game changed. Within minutes, he was bullying defenders, winning headers, creating chaos. On 68 minutes, Doku’s mazy run ended with a cutback that Lukaku powered home from close range. 2-1. You could see the relief on the Belgian bench.
The killer came late. Tielemans, who had been everywhere, won the ball high up, fed De Bruyne, who this time went for goal himself—a thunderous drive from 25 yards that Beiranvand got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. 3-1. Game over. Iran threw men forward late but left gaps; Belgium managed the clock expertly.
Stats told the tale: Belgium 18 shots to Iran’s 11, 6 on target to 4. Possession 62-38 in the end. But it wasn’t a walkover. Iran matched them for long periods and showed they belong at this level.
Top Highlights: Moments That Defined the Night
- De Bruyne’s Masterclass Pass (49th minute): That through-ball for Trossard’s opener. Weighted perfectly, bending around two defenders. Pure football artistry. The guy might be in his mid-30s, but his vision is timeless.
- Taremi’s Equalizer: A poacher’s finish after great work by the midfield. It reminded everyone why he’s Iran’s talisman. The celebration—pointing to the badge, roaring at the fans—pure passion.
- Lukaku’s Impact Sub: Came on and scored the go-ahead goal. His physicality disrupted Iran’s backline completely. Post-match, he said it was about “being ready when called upon.”
- Doku’s Dribbling Masterpiece: Multiple times he left defenders on the floor. One run in the second half drew gasps from the crowd.
- Courtois’ Crucial Save: Late on, denying a Taremi header. Without it, nerves would have jangled.
Honorable mentions: The Iranian fans’ non-stop support, even in defeat. And young Belgian subs like Zeno Debast showing composure.
Player Ratings and Key Performers
Belgium:
- Kevin De Bruyne (9/10): Two goals/assists combined influence. Unplayable at times.
- Jeremy Doku (8.5): Pace terrorized the right side.
- Romelu Lukaku (8): Game-changing sub.
- Thibaut Courtois (7.5): Commanding, vital late stop.
- Youri Tielemans (7.5): Captain’s performance, tireless.
Iran:
- Mehdi Taremi (8): Scored, led the line heroically.
- Alireza Beiranvand (7): Several strong saves; not at fault for goals.
- Ramin Rezaeian (7): Solid defensively, contributed going forward.
- Saman Ghoddos (6.5): Creative but faded late.
Others around 6-6.5. Iran fought but lacked that final cutting edge against elite opposition.
Tactical Deep Dive: What We Learned
Belgium’s 4-2-3-1 evolved into something more fluid with subs. The double pivot of Onana and Tielemans shielded the defense well after early wobbles. Wing play from Doku and Trossard stretched Iran, creating space in the middle for De Bruyne. Garcia’s management of the Lukaku sub was spot on—recognizing when fresh legs and brute force were needed.
Iran played with pride in a 4-4-2-ish setup. Strong in duels, good organization, but they tired in the final third as Belgium’s superior fitness and squad depth showed. Their transitions were sharp, but against a team with this much technical quality, one mistake proved costly. Ghalenoei will be disappointed not to get at least a point, but positives to build on for the Egypt clash.
This match highlighted the gap between European heavyweights and Asian contenders, but also how narrow it can be on any given day. Iran pushed Belgium harder than Egypt did.
Summary and What It Means for Group G
Belgium now sit pretty with four points, goal difference looking healthy. A win or draw against New Zealand in the final group game should seal progression. They’ve shown character, responded to adversity, and have their stars firing. Garcia’s men look like contenders again.
Iran have one point and face a tough Egypt side next. They need a result there and hope other outcomes go their way. A historic group stage exit avoidance is still possible, but it’ll require maximum effort. Their spirit is undeniable—coming back from deficits, competing with one of the world’s top sides.
As I filed this from the press box, overlooking the pitch where confetti still littered the turf, it struck me how football at this level transcends borders. Belgium celebrated like they’d won the tournament; Iranians left with heads high, already talking about the next battle. That’s the beauty of the World Cup.
The Red Devils are back in business. But in a group this open, nothing is guaranteed. Bring on the next round.
