Mohammad Mohebbi's header off the post kept Iran alive and denied New Zealand a winning start, turning a 03:00 CET World Cup opener into a 2-2 draw with far more edge than the fixture promised. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, New Zealand led twice through Elijah Just, but Iran answered both times.
Elijah Just fires New Zealand into control
New Zealand struck after 7 minutes, when Chris Wood received the ball superbly and set up Just, who finished powerfully for 1-0. The early goal gave New Zealand a sharper attacking rhythm, and Wood remained central to their threat as Iran tried to settle.
Iran's clearest warning before the equaliser came in the 23rd minute, when Mehdi Taremi hit the post. That moment changed the feel of the half: Iran were no longer just reacting, and the pressure finally counted in the 32nd minute.
Ramin Rezaeian drags Iran back
After Shahriar Moghanlou's effort was blocked, the ball fell to Ramin Rezaeian, who put it away for 1-1. The half-time score reflected the match's openness, with neither side able to turn momentum into control for long.
The second half kept the same pace. In the 54th minute, Wood and Just combined again in a slick exchange, and Just finished easily for his second goal, putting New Zealand 2-1 up and underlining his status as the game's most decisive attacker.
Mohebbi rescues Iran as spectacle survives
Iran's response came in the 64th minute. Rezaeian delivered precisely from the right, and Mohebbi headed in off the post for 2-2, a finish that matched the quality of an unexpectedly open contest.
The numbers backed up the feeling of a stretched game: New Zealand had 52% possession and 8 shots on target from 14 attempts, while Iran produced 17 total shots, 4 on target, and forced 4 corners to New Zealand's 1. Discipline stayed controlled, with Iran receiving the only yellow card.
The draw leaves Iran listed 1st in the group with 1 point, and New Zealand 2nd, also on 1 point. More importantly, both sides leave with proof that this group-stage opener had substance, tempo and finishing quality.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Group Stage - 1. Date & Time: Tuesday 16 June 2026, 03:00 CET. Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. Referee: César Ramos Palazuelos, Mexico.
