Hydration break: Rudy Garcia will need to do some serious re organising in the short relief he has after the red card.
Iran will now be more tenacious than ever and be buoyed by this new opportunity.
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:37
67 mins: Ngoy is removed from proceedings after under hitting a pass back to Courtois and then grabbing the shirt of the chasing Iranian player – denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:34
65 mins: A half chance from an Iran corner as Khalilzadeh rose for a header that hit the side netting
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:32
60 mins: Belgium have their best chance of the game so far as De Bruyne goes deep and crosses it in to Lukaku who can’t get to it, and De Cuyper has a second chance at it, but it is well saved by the keeper.
Nothing will go for Belgium.
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:27
53 mins: Courtois makes another fantastic save to keep Belgium alive after a decent effort from No.9 Taremi.
Belgium have had more shots so far but Iran have had the more clear cut chances
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:20
52 mins: Khalilzadeh heroically blocks a De Cuyper shot in a region where he will be feeling that for a while.
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:18
50 mins: Saelemaekers almost hit the target with a great volley at a tight angle just beyond the back post of a long corner from De Bruyne.
(Reuters)
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:16
47 mins: Lovely bit of skill from Trossard to wrong foot the defender on the edge of the box and feed De Bruyne who has his shot blocked and out for a throw-in
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:13
46 mins: We are back underway and we will be hoping for a bit more action on both sides in the next 45 mins.
Iran make the only change as Hardani makes way for Jahanbakhsh
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:11
Half-Time: Is Lukaku a problem?
Having not started a game for club or country this season, it’s not a surprise to see that he is off the pace. Lukaku hasn’t had the pace to chase down some passes or the timing to be there to put his head on a cross and we haven’t really seen him use his physicality to any effect yet.
Has he earned a second-half appearance?
James Hicken21 June 2026 21:06