Belgium vs. Iran Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

It's another tight game in the tightest group. Iran has been up for the challenge in stifling a Belgian side lacking ideas. They bounced back well after the Red Devils got off to a dominant start, attacking primarily down the left side. Leandro Trossard beat Saleh Hardani multiple times to cause panic across Iran's defense. That led Kevin De Bruyne to find openings on the cutback. Despite creating encouraging attacks, Iran remained compact, blocking multiple shots. Dynamic full-back Maxim De Cuyper forced the first save of the match with a rebound off a De Bruyne blocked shot.

Iran responded well after being completely outplayed in the first ten minutes. Their first major chance came in the 12th minute. Center back Hossein Kanaani connected on a bouncing volley to force Thibaut Courtois into an awkward low save. As the first half went on, Belgium's back line looked extremely vulnerable. The decision to play a high line without pressing was perplexing.

Iran nearly scored a brilliant free kick when captain Ehsan Haji Safi faked the shot with a slick pass through the heart of Belgium's wall. Mehdi Taremi coolly placed his shot in, but the unexpected goal would be ruled out. The veteran striker was offside and penalized for encroachment to rule out what would have been one of the more jaw-dropping goals of the tournament.

It's been a decent first half. Belgium clearly misses Jeremy Doku as the engine of their attack. Besides Youri Tielemans' high-powered shot to the near post in the 21st minute and De Cuyper's volley from a run down the left in the 44th minute after an excellent diagonal ball from Tielemans, they haven't created goal-scoring opportunities after a strong start. Iran should be confident they can not only compete with Belgium, but beat them to go top of Group G.

Called back for off side and infringement with the wall. Whoops.

Proper goalkeeper

Bit late there Mr. Lukaku

Big one in Group H

Big Rom starts up front for Belgium

This was the response Spain needed following Monday's stunning stalemate versus Cabo Verde. There was much more fluidity and quickness with their passing. Lamine Yamal's return to the starting lineup made a massive difference in stretching the field and creating openings in attacking areas. While the second half felt more like a training session, the 2010 World Cup champions know this will be a long tournament, and squad rotation will be needed in lopsided matches like this one. They did start the second half with a bang.

Alex Baena's cross deflected off multiple Saudi players, which fell to Marc Cucarella, who was in acres of space at the far post. He couldn't have connected with the volley more purely to blast the shot on goal. It just went over the line past two Saudi players to make it four for Spain. Cucarella was slightly unfortunate that he wasn't rewarded for his effort, as it went down as an own goal.

Pedro Porro nearly got into the scoring fray with a sharp run to the right side of the box. He was found by Rodri, who has looked sharp so far at the World Cup after an injury-plagued season at Manchester City. Spain will need their captain at his best to become world champions. Porro's powerful low shot was well-saved, as the rebound quickly fell to Ferran Torres in a good area to make it five. His tame header couldn't capitalize on the opportunity to make it a five-star showing.

Torres missed another big chance to get off the mark. A terrific through ball from substitute Mikel Merino found him toward the left side of the box. Torres had space to produce another exquisite goal for Spain, but he sliced his shot well wide after trying to bend the ball with the inside of his right boot. While La Roja was in complete control, they would have liked all their forwards firing again after the shocking result against Cabo Verde. Torres couldn't join Oyarzabal on the score sheet.

Spain will face Uruguay next, which could be a match to determine who finishes first place. That will be pivotal, as whoever finishes second will likely meet Argentina in the Round of 32. Despite the ugly result, Saudi Arabia is still capable of making the knockout stage with a victory over Cabo Verde. Their opening-match draw against Uruguay could prove crucial in securing the four points needed to advance from the group.

OG strikes again as score up to 4-0

The 2024 European champions have sent a reminder to the world about how dominant they can be. They have been in total command, with 72% possession, creating consistent chances and winning the ball back instantly when they lost it. The quick switches of play created opportunities from the start. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro took shots from distance to get into an attacking rhythm early on. Yamal's fine work getting into dangerous attacking positions would be rewarded in the 10th minute.

His darting run to the back post would result in their first goal after a well-orchestrated attack from a goal kick. Mikel Oyarzabal won the aerial duel to play it off to Rodri, who quickly passed it back to the Real Sociedad striker after continuing his intelligent run. The veteran's persistence paid off as he put a low cross into the box for Yamal to score his first career World Cup goal. It was a vintage Spanish team goal, with pinpoint passing and slick off-ball movement. That started the onslaught.

Pedri nearly scored two minutes later as Saudi Arabia's back line was disoriented after losing possession. Yamal nearly connected with Alex Baena at the back post. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais did enough to parry the ball away as the ball fell to Pedri, who wildly blasted his shot over the bar with his weaker foot.

Saudi Arabia repeatedly conceded possession at the back, allowing Spain to get the ball into dangerous areas and take shots on goal. Pedri was at the forefront of winning possession in what was a commanding first-half performance from the stellar midfielder. That would lead to the second goal off a corner.

In a wild sequence from a poorly taken volley from Dani Olmo, the ball deflected off a Saudi Arabian defender to fall in the air for Aymeric Laporte to head the ball toward goal. His header found Oyarzabal, who finished off the chaotic scramble with a composed finish, which was needed for him after missing multiple big chances against Cabo Verde. It wouldn't take long for him to score again.

A diagonal cross from Porro found Marc Cucurella in a classic Spain move with both full backs combining. Real Madrid's new left back darted in to play the ball across to Olmo, who guided it toward Oyarzabal for another smooth finish from close range. It was nearly a first-half hat trick for him following a careless error from Al Owais after losing concentration attempting to play the ball out of Saudi Arabia's goal. Oyarzabal's crafty one-time shot from a tight angle hit the crossbar in what would have been a spectacular goal to cap off a memorable first half. Spain will happily take a 3-0 lead, knowing they are capable of scoring another three in the second half.

Yeah, they're back.

Ok so Yamal and co. not messing around in this one

He has arrived

Only supposed to go 60 minutes though...

All the pressure on Spain in this one

Spain-Saudi Arabia coming up in just over an hour

Testing Spanish midfielder's World Cup ball knowledge.

...where Spain can't settle for anything less than a win 🎥