Clinical New Zealand and Resilient Iran share the spoils in exciting draw, leaving Group G wide open
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 16.06.26. | 06:11
Despite entering the match as heavy underdogs, New Zealand required just six minutes to shock Team Melli
If Iran thought the hardest part of their World Cup journey was simply crossing the border, New Zealand’s Elijah Just had a bruising reality check in store. The clinical Kiwi winger turned the Group G opener into a personal showcase, striking twice in a breathless, end-to-end 2-2 draw that saw the pre match favourites have to claw back twice.
Despite entering the match as heavy underdogs, New Zealand required just six minutes to shock Team Melli.
Iran were tasked with looking to breakdown New Zealand as the All Whites looked to play on the break,utilising long balls into talisman Chris Wood to hold the ball up and bring in his teammates in advanced areas of the pitch.
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Striking with clinical efficiency on their very first meaningful attack, Elijah Just capitalised on a lapse in the Iranian backline, slotting a composed finish past goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand to give the All Whites a dream start.
The move started with New Zealand going long into Wood, his impeccable hold up under no pressure saw him turn and play a pass in then join the attack. His second attempt at hold up saw Just slot home.
New Zealand then had another chance with Wood now closed down early in the box.
The early breakthrough forced a furious response from Amir Ghalenoei’s side, who began committing bodies forward to stretch New Zealand's compact defensive setup.
Captain Mehdi Taremi proved to be the focal point of the pressure, orchestrating quick transitions that increasingly pushed the Kiwis deep into their own territory.
A 3v1 counter attack saw his teammates run off the ball well but his effort came off the post.Iran's relentless pressure finally broke the stubborn New Zealand resistance in the 31st minute.
A sharp sequence of attacking play allowed defender Ramin Rezaeian to latch onto the ball inside the penalty area.
Rezaeian kept his composure under pressure, calmly picking his spot to slide a crisp finish into the back of the net, drawing a massive roar from the pro-Iranian crowd.
While Bazeley’s men stabilized defensively to absorb a late flurry of Iranian corners before referee César Ramos blew for the interval, the game remained entirely on a knife-edge ahead of the second half.
Ghalenoei signaled clear attacking intent immediately from the restart, making a tactical shift by introducing Mehdi Ghayedi for Aria Yousefi.
However, it was the Kiwis who turned the match on its head once again in the 54th minute.
Capitalizing on another moment of defensive hesitancy from Team Melli, Elijah Just found space in the box to rifle home his second goal of the match, restoring New Zealand's lead and sending shockwaves through the stadium.
The goal again coming off very intricate and good link up play between Wood and Just.
Refusing to be buried, Irans’s relentless pressure paid massive dividends in the 64th minute.
Pulling strings across the middle third, a sumptuous switch ball from Saman Ghoddos, found the advanced Ramin who had the time and space to cross the ball finding an unmarked Mohammed Mohebi to cushion his header in.
As the match crossed into the final ten minutes, Bazeley’s side looked to weather the late storm.
With both sides hunting a late winner in this captivating Group G opener, the dramatic tie remained balanced on a knife-edge.
As the game grew on, it became more aggressive with players jumping into fouls. This aggression saw the first booking of the match towards Ehsan Haji Safi to bring down Just and stifle a counter attack.
The 2-2 draw was a clear depiction of the effort put in by either side, with positivity in their approach and not letting up. Iran will be up against Belgium next in LA while New Zealand will come up against a dangerous Egypt side.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)
/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/
Friday, 12. 06.
South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/
Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)
/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/
Saturday, 13.06.
USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)
/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/
Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)
/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/
Sunday, 14.06.
Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)
/Vinicius 42- Saibari 21/
Haiti 0-1 Scotland (0-1)
/McGinn 29/
Australia - Turkey 2-0 (1-0)
/Irankunda 27, Metcalfe 75/
Germany - Curacao 7-1 (3-1)
/Nmecha 6, Schlotterbeck 38, Havertz 45+3(p), 88, Musiala 47, Brown 68, Undav 78 - Comenencia 21/
Netherlands - Japan 2-1 (0-0)
/Van Dijk 51, Summerville 64 - Nakamura 57/
Monday, 15.06.
Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)
/Diallo 90/
Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)
/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/
Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0
Saudi Arabia- Uruguay ( 1-0)
/Amri 41/ - /Araujo 80/
Iran - New Zealand (1-1)
/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/
Tuesday 16.06.
22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)
***odds are subject to change***