Image: from China Focus X @China__Focus
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Iran and New Zealand played out an exciting 2-2 draw in their opening Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, with the Asian side twice coming from behind to deny the Oceania representatives a historic first-ever World Cup victory.
Played before a crowd of more than 70,000 spectators at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the match delivered attacking football from the opening whistle and left both teams with a valuable point in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested group. With Belgium and Egypt also sharing a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, all four nations remain level after the first round of matches.
New Zealand made a brighter start and struck with their first meaningful attack in the seventh minute. Sarpreet Singh floated a clever ball into the penalty area, where captain Chris Wood received possession before Elijah Just pounced to steal the ball and fire past Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand for a memorable opening goal.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the All Whites continued to threaten. Singh came close on two occasions, while Wood was denied after a timely defensive intervention from Shahriyar Moghanlou.
Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and enjoy this thrilling encounter between Iran 🇮🇷 and New Zealand 🇳🇿
New Zealand took the lead twice and looked on course to secure their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, but a determined Iranian side refused to give up. Iran fought back on… pic.twitter.com/508BzjmCwI
— 90’ stats (@victoryug26) June 16, 2026
Iran gradually grew into the game after weathering the early pressure. Mehdi Taremi, the former FC Porto striker, almost produced a spectacular equaliser when he surged forward from his own half and struck the post in the 23rd minute. Saman Ghoddos also tested the New Zealand defence before the breakthrough finally arrived.
The equaliser came in the 32nd minute through experienced right back Ramin Rezaeian. After Moghanlou battled for possession inside the box, the loose ball fell kindly for Rezaeian, who finished calmly to level the contest at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Iran introduced fresh attacking options, but New Zealand once again took the lead. In the 54th minute, Chris Wood combined brilliantly with Elijah Just, whose precise finish completed his brace and restored the Oceania side’s advantage.
Yet Iran refused to back down. Just ten minutes later, Rezaeian turned provider, delivering a perfectly weighted cross from the right for Mohammad Mohebbi to head home the equaliser and make it 2-2.
Both teams continued to search for a winner in an open and entertaining final half hour. New Zealand looked eager to secure the country’s first World Cup victory after seven matches across three tournament appearances, while Iran pushed forward in pursuit of a winning start to its seventh World Cup campaign. However, disciplined defending and a series of key interventions at both ends ensured the score remained level.
Rezaeian emerged as Iran’s standout performer with a goal and an assist, while Elijah Just’s two goals highlighted an impressive display for New Zealand. The result also keeps alive both nations’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their respective World Cup histories.
With Group G perfectly balanced after the opening fixtures, the battle for qualification remains wide open as Iran and New Zealand prepare for their next crucial matches.