Mourinho hails Beiranvand after goalkeeping masterclass against Belgium
Alireza Beiranvand earned high praise from Jose Mourinho after the Iran goalkeeper produced a string of outstanding saves to help his side hold Belgium to a valuable goalless draw at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The stalemate in Los Angeles on Sunday kept Iran's hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive ahead of its decisive final Group G match against Egypt.
Belgium dominated large stretches of the contest and created several clear-cut opportunities. However, Beiranvand repeatedly came to Iran's rescue with a series of crucial interventions.
⚽️ Alireza Beiranvand with ‘Player of the Match’ trophy against the game against Belgium@presstvsports pic.twitter.com/Jw7hewjZ4y
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) June 21, 2026
Reflecting on the match, Mourinho said Belgium had little to fault in its attacking display.
“Belgium did everything correctly. They created chances. Good chances. Very good chances. The type of chances where everybody in the stadium is already celebrating before the ball reaches the net. Then Beiranvand saves it.”
The Portuguese coach said the pattern continued throughout the game, forcing him to shift his attention from Belgium's performance to the Iranian goalkeeper.
“The next attack, same story. Another save. Another attack, another save. At some point I stopped analysing Belgium and started analysing him because clearly he was the most important player on the pitch.”
⚽️ Stupendous performance by Alireza Beiranvand against Belgium on Sunday@presstvsports pic.twitter.com/TTSGdzW4ve
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) June 21, 2026
Belgium threatened early through Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard, but Beiranvand quickly established himself as the game's standout performer.
Iran gradually settled into the match and thought it had taken the lead in the 25th minute when Mehdi Taremi found the net following a well-worked free-kick routine. The goal, however, was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Belgium continued to press forward, but Beiranvand denied Youri Tielemans and Maxim De Cuyper before halftime. He later produced arguably the save of the match when he kept out De Cuyper's close-range effort after a move initiated by De Bruyne.
Mourinho revealed he was surprised to learn where Beiranvand currently plays his club football.
“Then I asked somebody where he plays his club football. I was expecting a popular club. They said Tractor. I nodded like I knew exactly what they were talking about. I did not.”
💬 “If we had been more precise, we could have won. The team played with heart for all Iranians.”@presstvsports https://t.co/ChrB2VEQt1
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) June 21, 2026
The Real Madrid manager suggested the Iranian international deserved a stage bigger than his current club setting.
“Because if a goalkeeper can make those saves against Belgium, he should either be playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe or football scouts have simply forgotten his address. But after tonight, I don’t think they’ll forget it for much longer.”
Iran nearly snatched all three points after Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 67th minute for bringing down Taremi as the striker raced toward goal.
Amir Ghalenoei's men pushed forward against the 10-man Belgians but could not find a winner.
“This is how we protect our land": parl. speaker hails Iran's World Cup defense amid US threats
Iran hold Belgium to goalless draw as World Cup campaign gains momentum
Iran women strike gold as karate team finishes runner-up at Asian championships
Tederox and Padynex: Iran’s entry into elite club of antibody-drug conjugate manufacturing
West Asia tourism hit by 14% drop amid US-Israeli wars in region: Iranian official
VIDEO | Civil society groups hold anti-racism rally in Paris
VIDEO | Iran plays 10-man Belgium to 0-0 draw at its second game
Starmer resigns as UK prime minister; Labour opens leadership race
Russian air defense shoots down 84 drones approaching capital: Moscow Mayor
Architecture of endurance: Understanding Iran's defense doctrine beyond Western spin
Two Palestinian teenagers killed, others abducted in Israeli raids across West Bank
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
