Iran 2-2 New Zealand: Elijah Just's Double Earns the All Whites a Point in a Charged SoFi Draw
New Zealand's Elijah Just scored twice but Iran twice hit back through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi, as a politically charged Group G opener at SoFi Stadium ended 2-2 — leaving all four teams in the group level on a point.
A breathless Group G opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood ended 2-2 on Monday, as Iran twice came from behind to deny New Zealand a famous win in front of 70,108 fans. Elijah Just scored both of the All Whites' goals; Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi replied for an Iran side whose World Cup has been shadowed by off-field difficulties.
New Zealand made the brighter start. Just struck early, in the 7th minute, to quiet a heavily pro-Iran crowd and hand the Oceania side a lead few had predicted. Iran steadied and drew level in the 32nd minute through Rezaeian, the experienced full-back, restoring parity by the interval.
The pattern repeated after the break. Just restored New Zealand's lead in the 54th minute with his second of the night, only for Iran to respond again ten minutes later, Mohammad Mohebbi finishing in the 64th to make it 2-2. Neither side could find a winner in a tense final half-hour, and the points were shared.
The result leaves Group G in perfect balance. With Belgium and Egypt having drawn 1-1 earlier the same day, all four teams sit on a single point after the first round of fixtures. For New Zealand, a draw with higher-ranked Iran is a creditable start; for Iran, two points dropped from winning positions will sting, even as a point keeps them level in the group.
Iran's participation has carried a political weight unmatched by any other team at the tournament. Several federation officials were denied US visas in the build-up, the squad based itself in Tijuana rather than on American soil, and the Iranian federation said its fan ticket allocation for the group matches had been withdrawn — a backdrop that lent the SoFi occasion, with the Iran flag stretched across the pitch before kick-off, an atmosphere unlike any other in the group stage.
Sources: ESPN — Iran 2-2 New Zealand, final score · Al Jazeera — Iran draw 2-2 with New Zealand in politically charged World Cup match · Opta Analyst — Iran 2-2 New Zealand stats
