The Iran national team frustrated Belgium in a World Cup clash on Sunday, holding them to a scoreless draw. The Red Devils, led by star player Kevin De Bruyne, had the better of possession but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Iran's Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick but it was overturned for offside by VAR. The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a triple substitution around the hour mark and his side immediately came close, Maxim De Cuyper's point-blank effort from De Bruyne's cut-back well saved. Substitute Hans Vanaken blasted a shot from a rebound well over the bar moments later, as the Red Devils finally began to knock on Iran's door in earnest.

But disaster struck for Belgium as Nathan Ngoy was sent off after a badly mis-hit backpass. The center-back had raised his arm into Mehdi Taremi as the striker raced through on goal.

The game settled into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, though De Cuyper again came close with a low effort from just outside the box.

Iran's team has been facing travel restrictions as they moved from their base camp in Mexico to the US for their World Cup games. But for this match, they were able to focus on the football, and it showed.

Having switched to a back five, Iran sat deep in the first half, allowing Belgium to dominate possession and play hundreds of passes around their penalty area without creating any clear-cut opportunities. Target man Romelu Lukaku managed a solitary headed effort in the 36th minute, which sailed over the bar.

Iran had the first half's two best chances, entirely against the run of play. Hossein Kanani's low shot after a long throw was well saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. And Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net midway through the half after a cleverly worked free kick, but it was ruled offside.

The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws. Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament's lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game. Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday.

For the second Iran game running, protesters from Los Angeles' large Persian exile community gathered at the stadium to chant against the country's hardline regime. Inside the stadium, Iran's anthem again drew a chorus of boos and whistles — a reception at odds with the response to the players themselves, who were loudly cheered.

Key Facts

• The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws. • Iran's Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick but it was overturned for offside by VAR. • Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a triple substitution around the hour mark and his side immediately came close with Maxim De Cuyper's point-blank effort well saved. • Iran had the first half's two best chances, entirely against the run of play. • The center-back Nathan Ngoy was sent off after a badly mis-hit backpass and raised his arm into Mehdi Taremi as the striker raced through on goal.

The Iran national team has been through a tough few weeks, facing travel restrictions as they moved from their base camp in Mexico to the US for their World Cup games. But for this match, they were able to focus on the football, and it showed. The team's anthem drew a chorus of boos and whistles — a reception at odds with the response to the players themselves, who were loudly cheered. Despite this, Iran's team has shown great resilience and determination, and their fans are hopeful that they will be able to secure at least a point against Egypt next Friday.

The crowd inside the stadium was electric, cheering on both teams and creating a lively atmosphere. But the real star of the show was Mehdi Taremi, who had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick but it was overturned for offside by VAR. Iran's team has been known to produce some of the best attacking football in the world, and this match was no exception.