Astana, Kazakhstan – In a dramatic World Cup qualifying match, Kazakhstan's goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov delivered a heroic performance, securing a 1-1 draw against Belgium. The match, held at Astana Arena, saw Anarbekov make a series of crucial saves, denying Belgium an early qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The game began with Kazakhstan taking a surprising lead in the ninth minute. Dastan Satpaev skillfully maneuvered past Koni De Winter, creating space to fire a shot past Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels. However, Belgium responded early in the second half when Hans Vanaken headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne, leveling the score.
Despite Belgium's dominance in possession and numerous scoring opportunities, Anarbekov proved to be an impenetrable barrier in the Kazakh goal. The 22-year-old goalkeeper showcased exceptional reflexes and agility, thwarting efforts from Vanaken, Leandro Trossard, and Castagne. His most critical save came in the dying moments of the match, denying Nicolas Raskin's shot and preserving the draw for Kazakhstan. Anarbekov made eight saves in total.
Kazakhstan's chances of securing a point were further challenged when Islam Chesnokov was sent off for a foul on Jeremy Doku in the final ten minutes. However, Anarbekov's resilience and determination ensured that Kazakhstan held on for a valuable point.
Belgium missed the presence of their top scorer, Kevin De Bruyne, who is currently recovering from hamstring surgery. Despite creating numerous chances and registering 77.2% of possession, Belgium's wastefulness in front of goal proved costly. They produced 2.5 expected goals from 20 shots, compared to Kazakhstan's 0.34 from nine attempts.
With the draw, Belgium remains at the top of Group J, two points ahead of North Macedonia. Belgium can still secure their place at next year's tournament with a win in their final match against Liechtenstein.
The draw was a significant result for Kazakhstan, demonstrating their resilience and defensive capabilities. Anarbekov's outstanding performance earned him widespread praise and recognition as the hero of the match.
