Tehran: The head of Iran's negotiating team, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, praised Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand following the national football team's goalless draw against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup. In a post on X early Monday, Ghalibaf shared a widely circulated photo from the match and wrote, "This is how we protect our land." According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the match took place on Sunday night during the second round of the World Cup group stage. The draw earned the Iranian team, led by coach Amir Ghalenoei, a valuable point against their formidable European opponents. Beiranvand emerged as the standout performer of the match, consistently thwarting Belgium's dangerous attacks. His performance played a crucial role in securing the result for Iran. At the conclusion of the match, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recognized Beiranvand's efforts, naming him the player of the match and awarding him the 'Asian Eagle' prize for his exceptional performance.