Belgium got into trouble. Rudi Garcia’s team, after the 1-1 draw in the opening match of Group 7 with Egypt, failed to beat Iran either, with the final 0-0 “sealing” the efforts of the 22 players in Los Angeles. As the game unfolded, the point can be considered a success for the “red devils”, given the conditions that developed after 67′.

Belgium were then reduced to 10 men after Engoy was sent off. The Lille defender, while alone, made a poor control, Taremi stole the ball and, as he was running towards Courtois’ area, was brought down by Engoy. Without any hesitation, Herrera sent him off. 

Now, after the first two matches of the group, the two teams have the same number of draws (the Asians had remained at 2-2 with New Zealand) and as can be seen, the last match for both will be decisive (Belgium will face the New Zealanders and Iran will face Egypt).

Tonight’s 0-0 is largely due to the two goalkeepers. Thibaut Courtois made two great saves on shots by Ezatollahi and Taremi, while by far the two top saves were made in the 58th and 86th minutes by Iran’s goalkeeper, Beiranvand, on the same number of volleys by De Kuyper.  

Referee: D. Herrera (Argentina)
Yellow cards : Lukaku – Ezatolahi
Red cards: 67′ Engoy

The compositions:

BELGIUM (Rudi Garcia): Courtois, Mechele, De Kuyper, Meunier (58′ Castagnet), Ngoy, De Bruyne (87′ Fernandez-Pardo), Tielemans, Salemakers (58′ Lukebakiyo), Raskin (58′ Vanaken), Lukaku (73′ Teat), Trossard

IRAN (Amir Galenoi): Beiranvand, Hardani (46′ Jahanbaks), Hajisafi (66′ Hajisafi), Khalilzadeh, Kanani, Nemati, Rezaian, Ezatollahi (85′ Hosseinzadeh), Mohebi (66′ Torabi), Ghodos (78′ Moganlu), Taremi