INGLEWOOD, California: Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves while Iran and Belgium played to a 0-0 draw at the World Cup on Sunday, with Team Melli unable to break through after the Red Devils went down to 10 men in the second half. Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute when he miskicked a ball backward and then fouled Mehdi Taremi to prevent the Iran star from getting a clean breakaway scoring chance.

Belgium and Iran were forced to accept draws in their opening matches in Group G.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei criticised his team’s increasingly difficult preparation conditions before playing Belgium