New Zealand hold on for draw

IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand

INGLEWOOD, CA–New Zealand’s unbeaten streak at World Cups remains intact–albeit it is a fourth successive draw as they played Iran to a 2-2 draw at Los Angeles Stadium (aka SoFi Stadium) on Monday night. Against an Iran side who was facing a multitude of distractions off the pitch, New Zealand were looking for at least a point.

Indeed, the All Whites got off to the lead after just seven minutes as Chris Wood found Elijah Just who roofed the ball into the net. The match was end-to-end throughout and both teams were pressing for goals. Iran got their first in the 32nd minute after the All Whites failed to clear lines and Ramin Rezaeian came in to tap past Max Crocombe to make it 1-1.

New Zealand took the lead once again in the 54th minute. Again, it was a counter attack where Chris Wood against fed Just who lofted it past Alireza Beiranvand. Just became the first New Zealand player to score twice at a World Cup. However, Iran equalized again after a diagonal ball from Ramin found Mohammed Mohebbi between two defenders with the latter heading in to make it 2-2.

That’s how one of the more entertaining matches so far in this tournament ended. Everyone in Group G is now on one point with Belgium and Egypt playing to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.

New Zealand still have yet to win a match at a World Cup, yet at the same, have not lost a World Cup match since their first appearance in 1982 when they lost all three of their matches in Spain. Iran nearly won for the first time at a World Cup from a trailing position while Asian sides at the World Cup remain unbeaten (2 wins and 3 draws) with Iraq, Jordan, and Uzbekistan to play later.

New Zealand will play Egypt in Vancouver on Sunday (6pm, FS1/Telemundo) while Iran will play Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday (12pm PT, FS1/Telemundo).

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter