Belgium should have the ball more and try to pin Iran deep with **De Bruyne** dictating tempo, while **Matias Fernandez-Pardo** and the wide runners attack the space behind Iran’s compact block. Iran’s clearest route is a low-to-mid block, then quick transitions into **Mehdi Taremi**, with **Mohammad Mohebbi** and **Dennis Eckert** tasked with turning recoveries into direct counters before Belgium’s full-backs can recover. The key battle is Belgium’s central creativity versus Iran’s disciplined screen in front of the back line, especially whether **Nicolas Raskin** can win second balls and stop Iran from breaking cleanly out of pressure. If Belgium turn territorial control into early chances and avoid transition giveaways, their superior quality should tell; if Iran keep the game tight into the final half-hour, set pieces and one decisive counter could make it uncomfortable.
