New Zealand Stuns Iran in Thrilling World Cup Group Stage Draw
June 16, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
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New Zealand secured a surprising 2-2 draw against Iran in their opening World Cup group stage match, with Elijah Just bagging a brace for the underdogs.
New Zealand delivered a spirited performance to earn a point against a favored Iran side in their World Cup Group Stage opener. The All Whites twice took the lead, showcasing their resilience and tactical discipline, while Iran had to fight back from behind on both occasions in a fiercely contested match.
Elijah Just opened the scoring early for New Zealand in the 7th minute, assisted by Chris Wood, rattling Iran from the outset. Ramin Rezaeian equalized for Iran in the 32nd minute, but Just restored New Zealand's lead in the 54th minute, again set up by Wood. Iran found their second equalizer through Mehdi Mohebi in the 64th minute, assisted by Ramin Rezaeian, setting up a tense final quarter of the game.
The turning point came shortly after Iran's second equalizer. Despite their efforts and increased attacking play, they couldn't find a decisive third goal (17 total shots for Iran to 14 for New Zealand, and 8 shots on goal for New Zealand to 4 for Iran). New Zealand's goalkeeper proved crucial, making two saves to preserve the draw.
This draw is a significant result for New Zealand, giving them a valuable point in a tough group and boosting their confidence for upcoming matches. For Iran, dropping points against the perceived underdog might add pressure to their campaign, necessitating strong performances in their remaining group stage fixtures to ensure progression.