Tehran: Iran showed great courage as they fought back to earn a thrilling draw against New Zealand in their opening Group G match of the 2026 World Cup. The match concluded with a final score of 2-2, displaying a closely contested battle between both teams.
According to Thai News Agency, the game saw New Zealand's "All Whites," the only team from Oceania, take an early lead. Elijah Just opened the scoring in the 7th minute, marking an impressive start for New Zealand. Iran, determined to retaliate, found their equalizer in the 32nd minute through Ramin Rezaeian, leveling the playing field at 1-1.
As the match progressed, Elijah Just struck again in the 54th minute, putting New Zealand ahead for the second time and becoming the fourth player in the tournament to net two goals in a single match. However, Iran's resilience shone through as Mohammad Mohebi scored in the 64th minute, securing the draw and earning a crucial point for the "Persians."
The encounter was a testament to both teams' competitive spirit, with Iran demonstrating their ability to recover from setbacks and New Zealand showcasing their offensive prowess through Elijah Just's performance.