Inglewood (California): Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves as Iran and Belgium played out a 0-0 draw at the World Cup on Sunday, with Team Melli unable to find a breakthrough after the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men in the second half.
Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute after miskicking a ball backwards and then fouling Mehdi Taremi to prevent the Iran forward from racing through on goal.
Iran were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage, and Belgium actually created the better scoring opportunities in the closing stages. As a result, both teams recorded their second consecutive draw of the group stage.
Neither side will be fully satisfied with the result at SoFi Stadium.
During a turbulent World Cup campaign affected by travel restrictions and visa denials in the United States, Iran will regret missing a golden opportunity to defeat a European powerhouse ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings while playing in front of a loud and supportive crowd.
Iran returned to the Los Angeles area for a second consecutive match in front of a crowd packed with members of the Iranian diaspora, many of whom supported Team Melli while also protesting against the Iranian government with boos during the national anthem and hundreds of Lion and Sun flags on display.
Iran's World Cup preparations have been chaotic ever since the United States entered the war on February 28. The team moved its training base from Arizona to Mexico and has operated under travel restrictions requiring players to leave Los Angeles only hours after both matches, a situation that has frustrated coach Amir Ghalenoei.
Meanwhile, star-studded Belgium have yet to score a goal of their own in two World Cup matches, having only found the scoresheet through an own goal in their opening draw against Egypt.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last 15 competitive matches, but they have now gone 53 consecutive shots without scoring at the World Cup, dating back to the single goal they managed during their largely disappointing campaign in Qatar four years ago.
Belgium dominated possession during the opening 60 minutes, but Iran created several promising chances that were denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who matched Beiranvand's outstanding performance. Team Melli's best early opportunity came from a well-worked set piece finished by Taremi, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Maxim De Cuyper was denied twice by Beiranvand in the second half, including a golden opportunity in the 86th minute.
With so many preparation challenges, Ghalenoei relied on experience against Belgium, naming the oldest starting XI in a World Cup match since 1966, according to Opta.
Romelu Lukaku was a surprise inclusion in Belgium's starting line-up, playing the opening 73 minutes and registering one shot.
The Red Devils' all-time leading goalscorer missed most of his club season at Napoli because of a hamstring injury and had appeared only as a substitute in Belgium's draw with Egypt last Monday.
Belgium were also without standout winger Jérémy Doku, who missed the match due to illness.