As the Iranian national team sets its sights on the future, it draws inspiration from its storied past.
Prior to their critical match against the star-studded Belgium team, ranked No. 9, the players watched a motivational video that featured what midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh described as unforgettable moments from Iran’s last two World Cup appearances. This compilation showcased their tenacious defense, relentless pressing, and the rare moments of success against footballing giants like Spain and Portugal, defining a generation from this proud footballing nation.
This approach is not uncommon for teams seeking a confidence boost before significant matches, and Sunday’s game certainly qualified as such. However, in a twist that Saman Ghoddos labeled as “The same situation happened now,” the video ultimately predicted the match’s most pivotal moment during the 0-0 draw, which positions Iran on the brink of achieving its best-ever World Cup performance.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s remarkable save in the 59th minute left the 70,317 spectators at the Los Angeles Stadium in stunned silence. While it was an extraordinary moment, it also felt familiar; Beiranvand had previously made headlines by saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018. He had also made a crucial stop to secure a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the same World Cup. Ghoddos noted that this was precisely the type of moment the team had highlighted in their video.
“The unity, the fighting spirit we have for each other, for our country, for the people we try to win every game, try not to concede, and a situation like this can happen.” he stated. “In our last tournaments, Asian Cup, World Cups, [at the] last minute we didn’t get what we deserved, now is one of those times,”
Iran has often faced critical late-game moments in major tournaments. They narrowly missed advancing to the knockout stage in 2022 after a heart-wrenching loss to the United States. In 2018, they were defeated by a stunning Ricardo Quaresma goal and were bested by Lionel Messi’s brilliance in 2014. Beiranvand’s save could represent a turning point for the team.
“So it’s really in our control to do what we have to do firstly for our people back home, and then for ourselves. Some of us, we’ve played more than 10, 12 years together. Hopefully we can make [our] best performance [against Egypt].” Jahanbakhsh remarked, expressing his belief that Iran could have secured a victory against the Belgian team, which was reduced to 10 men. “We know they deserve a lot, even the people who came to the stadium today with the different ideas, different ideology, different culture and from different cities in Iran,”
Beiranvand’s standout moment added a distinct flavor to this match. Yet outside the Los Angeles Stadium, the atmosphere mirrored their previous encounter, a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. Fans proudly donned a variety of modified kits, eager to support their team in its quest to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time.
However, amidst the spirited crowds were also demonstrators, including a group of around 200 who called for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, labeling the team as “There are a couple of things that [Iranians] have in common everywhere in the world. One is Team Melli, one is ghormeh sabzi [a signature stew], and one is tahdig [crispy rice].” rather than representatives of ordinary Iranians. Others directed their frustrations at FIFA. A banner near the stadium depicted a backpack with a tag reading 168, referencing the 168 individuals killed in a US and Israeli attack that struck an Iranian school. The banner proclaimed, “He was amazing today, and it’s been amazing for a couple of years now,”
Iran’s lion and sun flags persisted in their visibility, despite being officially banned at the Iranian government’s request. Fans wore them in large numbers, and while stricter enforcement resulted in more confiscations at the entrance compared to previous matches, vendors outside the stadium continued to sell merchandise featuring the emblem.
During the national anthem, the boos and jeers that accompanied it last time echoed once again. When the match commenced, the crowd reacted passionately to every sharp Belgian attack and desperate Iranian defensive effort. They vocally urged the referee to send off Nathan Ngoy after he took down Mehdi Taremi, and erupted in cheers when their demand was met.
“He’s the best goalkeeper in our history of our country.” Jahanbakhsh commented. “There are a couple of things that [Iranians] share in common globally. One is Team Melli, one is ghormeh sabzi [a signature stew], and one is tahdig [crispy rice].”
Interestingly, the crowd’s current dynamics signal a shift. During the 2022 World Cup, Iran’s opening match was marked by visible protests within the stands, coinciding with the country’s ongoing Woman, Life, Freedom movement. By the time of their second game, such protests had noticeably diminished, with attendees expressing fears of being surveilled by regime agents posing as fans. Instances of protesters being confronted and silenced were reported back then. This time, any disputes appeared to be minor and limited to individual exchanges.
On the field, Iran’s performance maintained its consistency. They showcased their trademark tenacity, albeit sometimes disorganized at the back. While Belgium managed to penetrate with incisive plays, they struggled to find a reliable focal point, as Romelu Lukaku was effectively contained by Shoja Khalilzadeh. Iran thought they had found a moment of jubilation in the first half when Taremi netted a cleverly executed free kick, only to be ruled offside by the narrowest of margins.
Ultimately, the defining moment arrived in the 59th minute, courtesy of Beiranvand. The Tractor goalkeeper, who had risen to prominence following his performances in Russia 2018, was known for his long, powerful throws, a skill developed during his childhood when he threw stones with friends across the Iranian countryside. This journey led him to escape his troubled family life in pursuit of football.
“He was amazing today, and he has been remarkable for a couple of years now,” Ghoddos praised Beiranvand. “He’s the best goalkeeper in the history of our country.”
