Iran and New Zealand drew 2-2 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a match full of goals, the favourites Iran played the better football but could not claim the win, while New Zealand fought hard to take a point.
New Zealand started fast and went 1-0 up in the 7th minute through Elijah Just, who finished a Chris Wood pass. Iran levelled in the first half: in the 32nd minute, Ramin Rezaeian made it 1-1 from a Shahriyar Moghanlou assist.
New Zealand edged ahead again in the second half. In the 54th minute, once more set up by Wood, Just scored his second to make it 1-2. But Iran did not give up and equalised in the 64th minute, when Mehdi Mohebi found the net from a Rezaeian assist to make it 2-2. Iran pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but the New Zealand defence kept them out.
The statistics underlined Iran's superiority: the visitors had 17 shots, finished ahead on expected goals (xG) 1.51 to 1.24 and led on big chances 3-2. New Zealand edged possession with 52%. Refereed by Mexico's César Ramos, the match saw both teams open their campaign on a single point.
Image: news18.com
Tuna Başkan
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