Iran and New Zealand played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Group G encounter at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Wednesday.
Both teams produced two goals in each half in an open and entertaining contest that left Group G wide open after the first round of matches.
New Zealand took the lead twice through Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just, who scored a well-taken brace in the 7th and 54th minutes. Both goals were assisted by veteran striker Chris Wood, who provided excellent service for the All Whites.
The Persian Cheetahs responded strongly on each occasion. Ramin Rezaeian restored parity in the 32nd minute, while Mohammed Mohebi equalised again in the 64th minute to ensure the sides shared the points.
The result was matched by the other Group G fixture, as Egypt and Belgium also played out a draw, leaving all four teams level on points and everything to play for in the group.
Iran will now turn their attention to a tough clash against Belgium on June 21, while New Zealand face Egypt on June 22 as both sides continue their quest to advance from the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By: Iddrisu Abdul Rahim
