Belgium
Iran
Group G is locked at one point apiece after round one, and with both Belgium and Iran left needing a response, Sunday's meeting at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is shaping into a genuine six-pointer in disguise. Belgium were rescued by little more than Romelu Lukaku's presence off the bench against Egypt; Iran twice came from behind to snatch a point off New Zealand. Neither side will be entirely happy with where they sit.
Belgium — The Red Devils
Not the start Belgium wanted. Egypt had the better of long spells in Monday's 1-1 draw and arguably deserved more than a point, with Emam Ashour's stunning strike putting the Red Devils behind before Lukaku's mere introduction as a substitute forced Mohamed Hany into an own goal within seconds. The performance either side of that moment was underwhelming — better in the second half than the first, but short of what's expected from a side still ranked ninth in the world.
Zeno Debast still hasn't trained with the group and won't be risked here, so Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy continue as the centre-back pairing. On the left, expect a more attacking look with Maxim De Cuyper over Timothy Castagne — the manager has already hinted he doesn't want too many defensive-minded options stacked on one side. Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans are certainties through the middle, with Doku equally undroppable out wide despite a minor breathing scare this week (a respiratory infection compounded by too much time in air-conditioned rooms, by all accounts nothing to worry about). On the right, Leandro Trossard currently has the edge over Saelemaekers and Lukebakio, though he was also short of his best against Egypt.
Up front is the most interesting call of all. Lukaku remains short of match rhythm but is growing into more minutes by the game, and his pressing alone won Belgium their goal last time — yet Charles De Ketelaere is predicted to start through the middle once again, with Lukaku poised to make an impact from the bench rather than from the off. One human-interest note: Doku is expecting his first child in early July, so don't be surprised if he misses a game further down the line regardless of how this group plays out.
Iran — Team Melli
Roozbeh Cheshmi (hamstring) and Mehdi Torabi (calf) are both managing knocks, while Dennis Dargahi and Mohammad Mohebi have been on personalised training programmes this week — none of which appears to have ruled them out, with Mohebi predicted to feature in the final third regardless. Saman Ghoddos, who has a genuine ankle niggle, is the closest thing Iran have to a doubt, though the coach has recently leaned toward Razzaghinia ahead of him in any case — Ghoddos is nonetheless predicted to retain his place for now.
Mehdi Taremi remains the clear focal point and captain, most likely operating just off or alongside Shahriyar Moghanlou up top. Iran's spirited fightback against New Zealand — twice equalising — says plenty about the mentality in this squad even before a ball is kicked here.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Kevin De Bruyne vs Iran's midfield screen. Belgium's creativity runs almost entirely through De Bruyne finding pockets between Iran's lines. Saeid Ezatolahi and whoever lines up alongside him have to deny him time on the ball — if De Bruyne is allowed to turn and pick his pass, the wide threat of Doku and the runners beyond him should do the rest. Contain him, and Iran's well-drilled block has every chance of frustrating Belgium for long spells, just as it nearly did against New Zealand.
Prediction
Belgium have the better individual quality across the pitch even amid the uncertainty up front, and Opta still rates them at 90.31% to reach the last 32 against Iran's 47.63% — this is one Belgium are expected to win, even if it isn't always pretty. Iran's discipline and the threat of Taremi on the counter should make it a grind rather than a stroll, and a tense afternoon wouldn't be a surprise. Belgium's class should tell in the end.
Belgium 2–1 Iran — De Bruyne, Trossard — Taremi
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