INGLEWOOD, Calif.—Iran’s World Cup has been tumultuous off the field, and its play on the pitch still hasn’t produced a victory.
Yet Team Melli’s dream of advancing to a World Cup knockout round for the first time is still very much alive, thanks to an afternoon of brilliance from goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in a 0–0 draw with Belgium on Sunday.
In a World Cup that has already produced several memorable goalkeeping performances, Beiranvand joined the group with seven saves against the Red Devils. His one-handed stop from a prone position on Maxim De Cuyper’s point-blank shot early in the second half should rank among the highlight saves of the tournament—and De Cuyper was denied yet again by Beiranvand on a golden opportunity in the 86th minute….