Belgium coach criticizes efficiency after draw with Iran

Belgium's national team continued their unconvincing World Cup campaign with a second consecutive draw in Group G. After being held by Egypt in the opener, they were unable to break down Iran, settling for a goalless stalemate.

Belgium dominated possession with 70% and took 23 shots, seven of which were on target, but Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet.

Coach Rudi Garcia expressed frustration after the match. "We could have beaten Iran by three goals, but we weren't efficient enough. We had several chances, and when you don't score, you don't win the game," the Frenchman said. He acknowledged that the tactics and game plan worked, but the team lacked finishing.

The situation was complicated by the red card shown to 23-year-old defender Nathan N'Goye. The Lille player committed a tactical foul to stop a dangerous Iranian counter-attack. Garcia called it an understandable mistake from a young player and praised the team's efforts to play for half an hour with ten men while trying to win.

Belgium will face New Zealand in their final group match on June 27 at 06:00. Garcia insisted the group is not weak and that the team must show they can beat New Zealand to advance. "Sometimes you have to win, and in this situation, you have to win," he said.