Kazakhstan held Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier at Astana Arena on November 15, 2025. Despite being reduced to 10 men late in the game, the hosts secured a point through a stunning performance by goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov. Belgium remains two points clear in Group J but must wait to confirm qualification.
In a surprising result from Group J of the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers, Kazakhstan earned a valuable 1-1 draw against Belgium at the Astana Arena on November 15, 2025. The match kicked off with Kazakhstan stunning the visitors early, as 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev scored in the ninth minute to become the youngest goalscorer in his country's history. The goal came after a sloppy pass from Arthur Theate allowed Satpayev to shoot past goalkeeper Matz Sels into the near post.
Belgium dominated possession and created numerous chances in the first half, but Anarbekov, the 22-year-old Kazakhstan goalkeeper, made a series of excellent saves. He denied Hans Vanaken, Leandro Trossard, and Charles De Ketelaere, while also parrying a powerful shot from Vanaken around the 20th minute mark.
Three minutes into the second half, Belgium equalized when captain Vanaken headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne, leveling the score at 1-1. Anarbekov continued his heroics, blocking another Vanaken effort set up by Jeremy Doku and using his head to clear a deflected shot in the 63rd minute. He also prevented a potential own goal by Nuraly Alip in the 61st minute and made a point-blank save on Nicolas Raskin in stoppage time.
Kazakhstan's task grew tougher in the 79th minute when Islam Chesnokov was sent off for a trip from behind on Doku. Referee Donatas Rumsas initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after a VAR review. Despite the numerical disadvantage for the final 11 minutes, Kazakhstan held firm.
Substitutions included Kazakhstan bringing on Ivan Sviridov and Arsen Ashirbek for Satpayev and Galymzhan Kenzhebek around the 57th minute, and later Dinmukhamed Karaman for Maksim Samorodov. Belgium made changes like Youri Tielemans, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Lois Openda entering in the 71st minute. The draw leaves Belgium two points ahead of North Macedonia, with a home game against Liechtenstein next to secure qualification.