FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium vs Iran highlights: Belgium held to another draw

FIFA World Cup 2026 Football Match highlights: In the previous game, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 to bounce back from their draw against Cape Verde

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Belgium vs Iran FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Belgium and Iran are chasing their first victory at the World Cup. (Photo: AP)

FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Today highlights: After 90 minutes of riveting football, Belgium vs Iran ended 0-0 in a Group G clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The result means that Belgium will need a win in their final group stage game against New Zealand on June 7.

Just like Spain in the previous game of the day, the European powerhouse were chasing their first victory of the tournament after their opening game ended in a draw against Egypt. But while Spain were able to score four goals past Saudi Arabia, Belgium were held goalless, thanks primarily to Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran play Egypt in their final group game.

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In the previous game, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash, thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal (10th minute), Mikel Oyarzabal (21st and 24th minutes) and a own goal from Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Altambakti. Oyarzabal famously could not get a single touch on the ball in the first 30 minutes of Spain’s first World Cup 2026 game against Cape Verde. Today he’s scored two goals in the span of three minutes vs Saudi Arabia.

In the first half, Spain had 57 per cent of the ball compared to Saudi’s 34%; 17 attempts at goal compared to two; five attempts on target compared to none from Saudi Arabia. 344 passes completed by Luis de la Fuente’s side as compared to 117 from Georgios Donis’s men. But the game lost its zip considerably in the second half after Luis de la Fuente took off Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal at half-time. The result comes after Spain failed to score past Cape Verde in their first match.

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Live Updates
Jun 22, 2026 02:59 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: Full-time

Another draw for Belgium, thanks to some superb goalkeeping from Iran's Alireza Beiranvand. The Belgians were in a spot of bother in the game after watching Nathan Ngoy get red carded with 20 minutes left.

Belgium will need a win in their final group stage game against New Zealand on June 7. So will Iran, who face Egypt.

Jun 22, 2026 02:08 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: RED CARD!

Nathan Ngoy is sent off and Belgium will have to play the rest of the game (20+ minutes) with 10 players. Ngoy erred with his limp backpass towards the Belgian goalkeeper. Then he realises in panic that Mehdi Taremi will get to the ball before the Belgian keeper. So the Belgium centre-back pulls Taremi down. He's sent off for the foul. Belgium cannot have any complaints there!

Jun 22, 2026 01:41 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: first half done

No goals in the first half at the Los Angeles Stadium. Taremi came the closest, with just his back straying offside and ruining what would have been the cheekiest goal at this FIFA World Cup 2026.

The first half saw Belgium dominate possession with 61 per cent compared to Iran's 25 per cent. They also had 11 attempts at goal (compared to Iran's two), four attempts on target (compared to Iran's one).

Belgium completed 322 passes while Iran managed just 54.

Jun 22, 2026 01:03 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: GOAL DISALLOWED!

What a slick trick from Iran to put the ball into the goal from a freekick! Straight from the training ground! Taremi is standing next to the Belgium wall in the box during the freekick. Instead of taking a shot, the ball is passed to Taremi, who takes a touch, swivels and slots the ball past Courtois. The Iranians are celebrating.

But alas VAR rules the goal out as an offside. that must have a very very marginal offside.

Jun 22, 2026 12:51 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: Chances on both sides

So in the first 12 minutes of the game both sides have had their chances to score! Maxim de Cuyver has the first menacing looking shot for Belgium, following which Romelu Lukaku too has an attempt at goal.

Then, the Iranian side have an incredible chance to take the lead as Hossein Kanini rises above the melee in the Belgium box and heads the ball goalwards. But an alert Thibaut Courtois dives low and pushes the ball away.

After 12 minutes, both sides are goalless.

Jun 22, 2026 12:27 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: national anthem time!

Here we go! Players are walking out for the national anthem. And we'll have kick off soon enough

Jun 22, 2026 12:03 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: Iran's XI

Here's the first XI for Iran in their second game.

1 BEIRANVAND

2 HARDANI

3 HAJISAFI (captain)

4 KHALILZADEH

6 EZATOLAHI

8 MOHEBBI

9 TAREMI

13 KANANI

14 GHODDOS

19 NEMATI

23 REZAEIAN

Jun 22, 2026 12:02 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: Belgium's line up

The big news for Belgium is that Lukaku starts for the side. here's the playing XI.

1 COURTOIS

4 MECHELE

5 DE CUYPER

7 DE BRUYNE

8 TIELEMANS (captain)

9 LUKAKU

10 TROSSARD

15 MEUNIER

22 SAELEMAEKERS

23 RASKIN

25 NGOY

Jun 22, 2026 12:01 AM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Belgium vs Iran: Focus on Belgium

We now switch to the game between Belgium and Iran! Belgium too are chasing a win after being held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt in their opener.

Jun 21, 2026 11:29 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: GOAL DISALLOWED!

Spain have their fifth of the night and this time it comes from Ferran Torres. OR SO THEY THINK!

We have a long hold up as the VAR checks for offside. Seems to be a close call. VAR check finds that the goal came from an offside! So the score is still 4-0 in Spain's favour.

We have the final minutes of added time left.

Jun 21, 2026 11:23 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: CHANCE!

Al Tambakti almost turns the ball into his own goal for what would have been a second own goal in the game. But the Saudi Arabian keeper is alert and thwarts the goal-wards headed ball.

After 82 minutes, Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia.

Jun 21, 2026 11:12 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: 75 minutes gone!

The game's really slowed down now! As Spain have resorted to keep-the-ball tactics. Maybe they have some passing percentage target to meet that has been set for them by Luis de la Fuente.

After a while of stroking the ball around with no real hurry, Spain decided to go for an attack and invade the Saudi box. But Fabian Ruiz is thwarted!

Still 4-0 in favour of Spain.

Jun 21, 2026 11:01 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: CHANCE!

Spain almost have their fifth goal as Ferran Torres is fed the ball from the midfield with a perfectly weighted pass that beats the defender but slows down for Torres. The forward turns the ball away from the onrushing Saudi keeper, but runs wide of the goal!

With players like Yamal, Oyarzabal and Olmo off, some of the sting has gone out of Spain's attack. But that shot from Torres is a reminder to Saudi players that Spain can still score without their top forwards on the pitch.

Jun 21, 2026 10:48 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: GOAL!

Both of Spain's scorers on the night are off, but Saudi Arabia are still leaking goals! this time it's an own goal from Saudi Arabia's Hassan Altambakti as Spain lead 4-0 at the 48th minute!

Relentless this from Spain!

Jun 21, 2026 10:44 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Both goalscorers off!

Luis de la Fuente has decided to take off both of his goalscorers! Lamine Yamal has been replaced by Yeremy Pino, with Mikel Oyarzabal making way for Ferran Torres.

Jun 21, 2026 10:31 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Spain's dominance in numbers

In the first half, Spain have had 57 per cent of the ball compared to Saudi's 34%; 17 attempts at goal compared to two; five attempts on target compared to none from Saudi Arabia. 344 passes completed by Luis de la Fuente's side as compared to 117 from Georgios Donis's men.

And this is apart from the fact that Spain are 3-0 up.

Jun 21, 2026 10:25 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: HALF-TIME

In what will come as a relief for Saudi Arabia, the half-time whistle is blown. Spain lead by 3-0 after goals from Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. Mikel Oyarzabal could have had a hat-trick already, after sending a shot into the crossbar!

What a half from Spain! Most of it was played in Saudi Arabia's half with a couple of forays from Saudi Arabia into Spain's box their only respite from the relentless Spanish pressure on their own goal!

One more half coming up.

Jun 21, 2026 10:10 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: ALMOST!

Mikel Oyarzabal almost completes his hat-trick in the 35th minute! And it was a chance that came out of nowhere!

A Saudi Arabian defender misplayed his pass back to the keeper and the keeper, rushes to cut it out to prevent a corner. His clearance is a tame one, and finds Oyarzabal just out the box on the left flank. Oyarzabal does not waste time and shoots the ball with the outside of his boot over the keeper. The ball thuds into the crossbar and flies away!

What a shot! That deserved to go into the goal just for the sheer audacity of that attempt!

After 35 minutes, Spain 3-0 Saudi Arabia

Jun 21, 2026 09:56 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: GOAL!

WHAT AN IMPACT!

Mikel Oyarzabal scores his second goal and Spain's third goal three minutes after his first goal! And inside 24 minutes, Spain lead 3-0. After scoring his first goal of the night from near the left post, Oyarzabal scores his second goal from right next to the right post. He finds himself in great space in a crowded box and makes the chance count after Dani Olmo nodded the ball across to the far post.

Oyarzabal now has 27 goals for Spain.

He famously could not get a single touch on the ball in the first 30 minutes of Spain's first World Cup 2026 game against Cape Verde. And he's scored two goals in the span of three minutes vs Saudi Arabia.

Jun 21, 2026 09:54 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: GOAL!

Mikel Oyarzabal scores! And Spain are 2-0 in the the 21st minute.

Saudi Arabia's five-man defence cannot clear the ball after Dani Olmo's shot. And Oyarzabal reaches it before anyone else can to poke the ball into the goal!

Jun 21, 2026 09:43 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: GOAL!

Lamine Yamal gives ESP 1-0 lead in 10th minute! The stadium erupts! Oyarzabal runs down the left flank and flashes a cross across the face of the goal. the keeper cannot cut it out. And Yamal runs in from the right side and beats a diving defender to get his foot on the ball. Smooth!

This is Lamine Yamal's first World Cup goal. And it comes in his first ever World Cup start!

The goal comes less than a minute after Pedro Porro shot the ball over the crossbar hoping for the ball to dip.

Jun 21, 2026 09:39 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: One-way traffic

The five-man defence for Saudi Arabia is already being put to the test in the first five minutes as Spain attacks come wave after wave from each wing. Plenty of that first five-minute stretch was played in Saudi's half. reach the edge of the Saudi box, put in a cross, watch it get cleared. Rinse, repeat!

After 5 minutes, Spain 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Jun 21, 2026 09:35 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: CORNER

Spain start the game on the front foot. The earn a corner in the second minute itself which Lamine Yamal takes. Nothing comes off it, but a positive start from the team that was criticized for not putting Cabo Verde to the sword.

Jun 21, 2026 09:33 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Here we go!

The national anthems are done and we have kickoff! Spain playing in their traditional red and blue kits while Saudi Arabia are in all whites.

Jun 21, 2026 09:18 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's place in world football

Which leagues are the World Cup's top contributors?

England (200), Germany (109), Spain (86), France (86), and Italy (71). Saudi Arabia is where 49 players headed to the FIFA World Cup 2026 are based. Coming behind Saudi Arabia are Türkiye (45), USA (42), Netherlands (46), Brazil (36) and Portugal (36).

Jun 21, 2026 09:01 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Two changes for Saudi

Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis has made two changes to the starting XI for the game against Spain.

Ali Lajami, an added-time substitute last time out, replaces Mohammed Abu Alshamat in defence.

Mohamed Kanno makes way for Nasser Aldawsari in midfield.

Jun 21, 2026 08:48 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Saudi's XI for the Spain game

Saudi Arabia’s starting XI for the game against Spain. A 5-3-2 for Saudi Arabia

21 ALOWAIS

3 LAJAMI

4 ALAMRI

5 ALTAMBAKTI

6 ALDAWSARI

7 ALJUWAYR

9 ALBRIKAN

10 ALDAWSARI (captain)

12 ABDULHAMID

15 ALKHAIBARI

24 ALHARBI

Jun 21, 2026 08:45 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Lamine Yamal starts

Spain's Starting XI for the game against Saudi Arabia. A 4-2-3-1 from Luis de la Fuente

23 SIMON

10 OLMO

12 PORRO

14 LAPORTE

15 BAENA

16 RODRI C

19 YAMAL

20 PEDRI

21 OYARZABAL

22 CUBARSI

24 CUCURELLA

Jun 21, 2026 08:27 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE: When Spain faced Saudi Arabia at a World Cup

Spain and Saudi Arabia have face off against each other just the one tome at a FIFA World Cup previously. The clash came at Germany 2006, with the European side winning 1-0, thanks to a Juanito goal.

Jun 21, 2026 08:05 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Spain coach speaks

"We need to make things right," Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach has said ahead of the game against Saudi Arabia after their draw against Cabo Verde. "It's not a dramatic situation, but we have to win tomorrow. There’s no sense of urgency or anxiety. We are fortunate to have a team with tremendous competitive character. I will say one thing, though: our players are bothered. They’re really fired up, and we'll see a different side of them."

Jun 21, 2026 07:53 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's menace

Spain will do well to remember that Saudi Arabia are capable of massive upsets. Remember Qatar 2022, where Saudi handed a reality check to Argentina, who eventually went on to win the title?

Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari had scored two after Messi scored from the penalty spot. Of course, Argentina had three goals disallowed for offside in the space of 13 minutes.

Jun 21, 2026 07:50 PM IST
FIFA World Cup LIVE, Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Spain's options today

Spain's predicted XI for Saudi Arabia: Unai Simon; Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.

Lamine Yamal could be a starter today after only featuring as a sub in the previous game since he was coming back from an injury

Jun 21, 2026 07:47 PM IST
Spain vs Saudi Arabia World Cup LIVE: On Spain

After a draw against Cape Verde in the opening game of the FIFA World Cup, former champions Spain have their work cut out with games against Saudi Arabia today and Uruguay later on. They can have no more slip ups, especially today, since Uruguay are expected to be the hardest test they face in the World Cup group stages.

Jun 21, 2026 07:05 PM IST
Spain vs Saudi Arabia World Cup LIVE: Group H matches

June 15: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Atlanta)

June 15: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Miami)

June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Atlanta)

June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Miami)

June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Houston)

June 26: Uruguay vs Spain (Zapopan)

Jun 21, 2026 06:58 PM IST
ESP vs KSA World Cup LIVE: Check out the groups

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Jun 21, 2026 06:47 PM IST
Spain vs Saudi Arabia World Cup LIVE: Predicted lineups

Spain: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsi, Llorente, Fabian, Rodri, Pedri, Ferran, Oyarzabal, Yamal

Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais, Al-Harbi, Al-Amri, Al-Tambakti, Abdulhamid, Kanno, Al-Khaibari, Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, Al-Shamat, Al-Buraikan

Jun 21, 2026 06:41 PM IST
ESP vs KSA World Cup LIVE: Hello and welcome

Favourites Spain were left shell-shocked by minnows Cape Verde in their opening World Cup match when the debutants held on resolutely to force the 2010 champions to drop points against them in a 0-0 draw. While Spain did not take the chances afforded to them, Cape Verde made it pretty difficult for the Spanish armada to run through them. Spain now face Saudi Arabia, a team that had defeated Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, which will be an even more difficult task than trying to break down Cape Verde.

Cape Verde frustrated Spain in a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup debut game. (AP)

How World Cup debutants Cape Verde frustrated Spain for 90 minutes

Cape Verde, second smallest in size, third smallest in population, etched their name in World Cup history, holding the current European champions, Spain, to a timeless 0-0 draw that reinvigorated the magic of a World Cup. The result was as razor-thin as could be expected – Cape Verde’s keeper Vozinha made seven crucial saves, and Spain threw the kitchen sink at the end. But the debutants held on stoutly and produced what will go down as one of the biggest results of a World Cup.

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