Group G of the 2026 World Cup is becoming incredibly tense, with all four teams tied on points after the first round of matches. In this context, the clash between Belgium and Iran in Los Angeles is particularly important, as a victory would almost certainly bring one of the two teams closer to securing a place in the knockout stage.
Belgium entered the match with many questions hanging in the balance after a less-than-convincing start. The Red Devils' 14-match unbeaten run since March 2025, including nine wins and five draws, was threatened when they struggled to secure a 1-1 draw against their opponents in Seattle.
This result means Belgium has yet to rediscover the feeling of victory in their last three World Cup matches, with two draws and one defeat. If they continue to fail to win, the team under the head coach will face the risk of repeating the disappointing scenario at the 2022 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Nevertheless, history shows that Belgium is a team with a lot of experience at the big stage. Before their current slump, they had won 11 out of 13 World Cup matches. One of the factors helping the "Red Devils" regain stability may lie in their defense, as 5 of their last 7 wins have been accompanied by clean sheets.
On the other side of the pitch, Iran impressed with their fighting spirit against New Zealand. Despite falling behind twice, the Asian representatives persevered to secure a 2-2 draw, facing significant challenges off the field.
Captain Mehdi Taremi once described the team's travel circumstances as a "disaster," but Iran has shown its ability to overcome adversity. They have lost only one of their last eight matches in 90 minutes, and are currently in good attacking form, scoring at least two goals in all of their last four games.
Source: https://znews.vn/lukaku-cung-dong-doi-bat-luc-truoc-iran-post1661887.html
