Iran 2-2 New Zealand: World Cup 2026 – live reaction

What, really, were the emotions flowing through the veins of Iran’s players as they took the pitch in Los Angeles? A few hours earlier Donald Trump, in France before the G7 summit, said a peace deal had been signed. A penny for the thoughts. too, of the Fifa president up in the VIP seats, Gianni Infantino, who in effect admitted he was powerless to prevent Iran from the chaos that has overshadowed their participation.

Finally. then, for 101 minutes against New Zealand at least, Iran’s players were able to focus on the football, just as their head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, vowed they would. Goals from Mohammad Mohebbi and Ramin Rezaeian cancelled out a smart Elijah Just double. The cue of a partisan crowd provided the kind of joy Iran captain Mehdi Taremi conceded had been missing in recent months.

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley can’t hide his pride as he speaks about the performance. result that might have finished with much more after his side twice took the lead in a 2-2 draw with Iran.

double quotation mark I’m extremely proud of the players. The work rate and we created loads of chances. I thought we were really, really good in possession, defended pretty well for the majority. And we’ve come off disappointed to not win a game because we’re leading twice. scored two great goals, had some moments, which was really good.

It’s going to be a little bit bittersweet because we had a chance to make history tonight. win a game at a World Cup. And we came really close, we didn’t lose. We kept in it and played really, really well. So proud.

New Zealand can take plenty from this performance into their next game against Egypt in Vancouver (while Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium). The All Whites’ most promising signs were in the link-up play involving centre-forward Chris Wood and the clinical Eli Just. The winger explains what it means to back up his stellar form in the Scottish Premiership. score a double against Iran.

double quotation mark It’s really, really special. We had a lot of goals coming into this tournament and the first was to get on the board. So one point is OK and there are a lot of positives that we can keep building on.

It [scoring] is not something I could have even dreamed of. I’m so happy. One was nice and then two is just amazing.

We know that we have a tough group. We all watched the Egypt-Belgium game, we know how strong they are. So we’ve got a lot of work to do … We’ve been together for a long time. We were unfortunate to miss out on the last World Cup. So being here today was such an amazing feeling. And to start with a point, I think everybody is happy, but it could have been better.

The World Cup day ends with four draws from as many matches – the first time so many teams have earned a point together since 1958. A reminder of how the other games finished, though I doubt any of them could have been as memorable as Iran. New Zealand’s clash:

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Iran 2-2 New Zealand

New Zealand twice took the lead – both times through Eli Just with Chris Wood providing the assist –. it would be hard to argue that Iran did not deserve a share of the points in a rollicking contest. Ramin Rezaeian levelled the scores in the 32nd minute while Mohammad Mohebi scored the next equaliser for Iran in the 64th minute.

Both sides pressed hard for a winner from there with Iran edging New Zealand for chances in the second half. ending the match with 17-14 total shots, though the All Whites had more on target with 8-4. It’s all even in Group G with Belgium and Egypt also drawing earlier in the day.

A hugely entertaining clash ends without a loser as the two sides are forced to settle for a draw.

90+5 min The cross goes deep. beyond the far post where Iran when the first header and knock it back in front of goal. Ryan Thomas is in the perfect spot to dive and clear the danger off the back of his head.

90+4 min Both sides are still searching for a last-gasp winner though much of the pace has gone out of the tired legs. A late corner for Iran might well decide the game.

90+2 min New Zealand swing more changes with the ball in their final third as the clock ticks down. Wood gets a header away under extreme pressure but can’t get enough on it while falling backwards.

90 min New Zealand release the pressure to launch a counterattack. Eli Just threatens to sprint on to the ball with only the Iran goalkeeper in the attacking half before Ehsan Hajsafi steps in with a timely tackle. earns the first yellow card of the game. Five minutes of added time to come.

89 min Iran are on top with all the pressure mounting in their attacking third but the New Zealand defence is now banked up. compact in the penalty area.

87 min Saeid Ezatolahi has sprung to life and takes a shot from outside the penalty area. There isn’t enough power behind the strike and Crocombe barely has to move to collect the ball in the air.

86 min A hot ball is delivered into a mass of bodies in the penalty area were Saeid Ezatolahi picks up the ricochet. A shot sails over the bar.

84 min Shoja Khalilzadeh collapses to the turf after a collision with Chris Wood. The Iran defender appeared to initiate the contact as Wood turned his back at the last moment. collected Khalilzadeh with his shoulder. VAR considers whether to intervene but nothing comes from the review.

82 min The contest has become much tighter with the final whistle now not too far away.

80 min A substitution surprise as Mehdi Taremi comes from the field to be replaced by the in-form goalscorer Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh. The Iran captain had showed signs of an issue with his calf. looks most displeased with the call to remove him from the action.

78 min Payne makes way for Callan Elliot after putting in a shift against the Iran’s pacey attackers.

76 min Tim Payne controls the danger zone as Mehdi Ghayedi looks to sprint past him. into sight of goal. The New Zealand defender wins the ball back then, using all his experience. guile, goes to ground to earn a free kick.

75 min New Zealand work the ball down the left channel. the cross fails to pick out Chris Wood standing in the middle of a sea of white Iran shirts.

73 min New Zealand had their backs to the wall leading into the second hydration break. have looked the brighter since the restart without creating anything of note.

71 min All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe starts the final quarter of the game as we wait to see which side. if either, can keep their foot down.

68 min New Zealand make their first substitutions with Ryan Thomas. attacker Ben Old entering the game in place of Callum McCowatt and Liberato Cacace. Time for a hydration break and a well-deserved breather in Los Angeles and at Guardian Towers.

66 min Iran keep pushing as New Zealand keeper Max Crocombe is forced into another save.

Saman Ghoddos leaves the pitch on a high after setting up Mohammad Mohebi for Iran’s equaliser. Veteran defender Ehsan Hajsafi takes his place.

Mohammad Mohebi finds space just in front of the penalty spot to rocket a free header into the bottom corner. It was all made possible by an early and sublime cross from Saman Ghoddos.

61 min New Zealand continue to threaten with balls sent into Chris Wood’s feet. their other attackers looking to link up. Singh sprints past the centre-forward this time and quickly gets a shot away that picks out the well-placed keeper Beiranvand.

59 min Mehdi Taremi bursts into the penalty area with a well-timed run into space. But his cross to an onrushing Ali Alipour is blocked and New Zealand clear the danger.

58 min Tim Payne sends Mehdi Ghayedi to the turf with a well-time challenge. The social media sensation is giving a warning but the yellow card stays in the referee’s pocket.

57 min Iran were quick to respond when going behind during the first half. do much the same after Just’s second goal of the game. A goalmouth scramble allows Iran a pair of hurried shots but keeper Max Crocombe stands tall to block the second. quickly parries the ball to safety.

Eli Just surges into the final third with space in front of him. to his right then knocks the ball into Chris Wood’s feet while he continues his run. Wood turns on all his experience as a centre-forward to tap the ball back into Just’s direction. the All Whites attacker makes no mistake with a shot across the keeper.

Eli Just has his second goal of the game. Chris Wood his second assist as the All Whites reclaim the lead.

53 min Shahriar Moghanloo makes ways for another attacker in Ali Alipour. Moghanloo was on the wrong side of a few knocks in the first half. appeared to be playing under some duress. Alipour makes his presence felt immediately with a foul.

51 min Ramin Rezaeian hammers a corner into a dangerous area at the near post. New Zealand defenders close it down.

49 min Correction as Mehdi Ghayedi has replaced Aria Yousefi at half time for Iran. The attacker is straight into the action with a blocked shot.

47 min The second half already looks like a repeat of the first as New Zealand pick out Chris Wood in a dangerous area then Iran quickly launch a counterattack. A moment later the ball is back with Wood to take a speculative shot from outside the box. Wow! Grab a cuppa, or perhaps something stronger, and sit back to enjoy the ride …

46 min No half-time changes on either side as Iran make New Zealand wait before getting the second half under way.

While the Iran team continue to divide opinion just by taking to the field. it has been hard to look away from the action during their first half against New Zealand. “Been following mbm. watching what I can from San Antonio, TX, and have to say, it’s truly rare to see so-called minnows biting at sharks, and rather enjoyable,” Sam MB says. “Long may this continue,. ice your wrists when you can, this one’s a banger!” Pleased to hear that Sam MB can feel my pain from the other side of the globe – but no complaints for sore wrists here.

There have been mixed reactions from Iran fans at Los Angeles Stadium and diaspora around the globe. Here are some thoughts from Karen in Iran …

“Most Iranians. myself included, were hoping that this war, as bad as it was, would bring an end to this oppressive regime. Think how desperate a nation we must be to put all our hopes in the hands of Trump! Well it didn’t quite work out that way. the regime’s still around; with January’s massive killing of protesters still fresh in our memories.

“Younger generation don’t really care much about Iranian football. We used to love being in the World Cup. I remember all the celebrations from my first World Cup in 1998. 2022’s version was right in the middle of our “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. now this one is right in the middle of the war. To put simply, very very few people actually care about this national team.”

The noise inside Los Angeles Stadium suggests Iran have their fair share of supporters in North America at least.

Much of the buildup for Iran. New Zealand’s match was understandably on the Asian nation’s conflict with the US and Israel, and whether or how the team would be able to reach Los Angeles Stadium for their World Cup opener. Alexander Abnos was on hand as the Iran national anthem was loudly jeered by a large portion of the crowd – enough to be audible throughout – though said there seemed to be just as many singing,. the end of it was greeted with a swell of noise.

From there the football did all the talking as both sides set out to attack. delivered an enthralling first half filled with end-to-end action. New Zealand have had more chances with nine shots (five on target). while Iran have had seven shots (two on target). Possession is almost as even as the score with Iran ahead 46-42% (and the ball contested 12% of the time). though that is in part due to the All Whites being happy to lob early crosses to targetman Chris Wood.

Aaaand breathe! A frenetic first half comes to a close with Iran. New Zealand level and surely more goals to come in the second half with both teams chasing the game.

45+5 min Ali Nemati has the ball in the back of the net with a pinpoint header into the bottom corner. But the Iran defender had set off long before Ramin Rezaeian delivered a free kick into the penalty area. The flag goes up immediately for offside and the VAR check is barely worth considering.

45+3 min New Zealand have been finishing the first half stronger. Iran nudge the ball forward through a series of throw-ins. A long throw is sent into the six-yard where a flicked header sails over keeper Max Crocombe. on to the top of the net.

45+1 min New Zealand find space in the final third where Wood picks out Callum McCowatt in space on the right. The attack swings on to his favoured left boot but can’t get enough power into the shot. There will be six minutes of added time.

45 min Wood hooks the ball around the wall but there is not enough behind the free kick from long range. Beiranvand collects comfortably.

44 min New Zealand build and rebuild nicely from the back as they work their way down the left side. Shoja Khalilzadeh arrives late into a challenge on Liberato Cacace. Chris Wood lines up for a shot from the left side of the penalty area.

42 min Iran have an eye on half time with New Zealand allowed extra time on the ball in their own half.

40 min New Zealand press the Iran defence with the ball sent skyward in their own attacking half. A clash of heads leaves Mohammad Mohebi on the turf and needing attention.

39 min New Zealand move the ball through midfield with ease as Iran settle back. are content to see an early cross to sent toward Chris Wood. The attacker is outnumbered three-to-one inside the penalty area.

37 min A rare moment of calm on the pitch in Los Angeles as New Zealand pass the ball around their defensive line.

34 min New Zealand hardly needed to be sparked back to life. they are the first to attack after the restart with Wood again at the centre of the action.

A goal befitting an electrifying contest springs out of the chaos. Shahriar Moghanloo was the first to pick up the ball in a penalty-area scramble. get a shot away from close range but a blocked shot left it to Ramin Rezaeian to level the scores.

Ramin Rezaeian levels for Iran when pouncing on to a loose ball after Shahriar Moghanloo’s shot is blocked.

30 min The end-to-end action continues with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand forced into a diving save before a shot sails over the New Zealand goal.

28 min The game picks up where it left off with Iran straight back into attack. Max Crocombe’s clearance is blocked by Mohammad Mohebi who collapses to ground grabbing at an ankle. VAR check whether there was sufficient contact inside the penalty area but the review is waved away.

New Zealand lead 1-0 against Iran as we reach the hydration break. The game has more than lived up to its billing as one of the must-watch matches of the group stage with chances at both ends. Eli Just fifth goal in his past six competitive matches for the All Whites separating the sides.

22 min Mehdi Taremi slams a shot into the post! Iran stream forward with a three-on-two against the New Zealand defence and the ball at their captain’s feet. Taremi fires away from outside the penalty area, beats the diving goalkeeper Max Crocombe. is only denied by the right post.

20 min Iran take control in the midfield to keep the New Zealand defence under pressure. There has been no let up in this game.