All four teams in Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are level on one point, after New Zealand were twice pegged back by Iran in an action-packed 2-2 draw. In an end-to-end contest at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, a crowd of 70,108 fans got a bit of everything as both nations proved they are not in North America to simply make up the numbers.
New Zealand twice went ahead through tricky Motherwell forward Elijah Just, with Chris Wood the provider on both occasions. However, a remarkably resilient Iranian side fought back on both occasions, with right-back Ramin Rezaeian shining to score their first equalizer and tee up Mohammad Mohebi for their second.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | World Cup 2026 – Group G |
| Fixture | Iran vs. New Zealand |
| Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Los Angeles, CA) |
| Attendance | 70,108 |
| Referee | César Ramos |
| Final Score | Iran 2 – 2 New Zealand |
First Half: A Shock Early Lead and an Iranian Response
Coming into Monday’s game, Iran had scored the fewest goals per game of any team to take part in 15+ World Cup matches (0.72), while only Honduras (nine) and Egypt (seven) had played more games in the competition without winning than New Zealand (six). Few would have circled this one as a standout group stage game, but the teams served up a classic.
Iran started at a blistering pace with Arya Yousefi working goalkeeper Max Crocombe, but New Zealand struck against the run of play in the seventh minute. Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood expertly brought down a long punt forward from his goalkeeper, continued his run into the area, and teed up Elijah Just. Just juggled the ball before lashing a clinical right-footed shot into the roof of the net.
The shock goal shifted the momentum. The All Whites had as many shots on target in the first 30 minutes (three) as they had throughout the entire 2010 World Cup. Mehdi Taremi was agonizingly close to equalizing for Iran when he curled against the post, but Iran got level in the 32nd minute. An intricate move resulted in Shahriyar Moghanlou being thwarted by a last-ditch Finn Surman challenge, but Ramin Rezaeian pounced with an outside-of-the-boot finish.
The offside flag frustrated Ali Nemati when he headed Rezaeian’s free-kick home in first-half stoppage time, sending the teams into the break tied at 1-1.
Goal Summary Timeline
| Minute | Goalscorer | Team | Assist / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7′ | Elijah Just | New Zealand | Juggled and lashed into the roof; Assist by Wood |
| 32′ | Ramin Rezaeian | Iran | Outside-of-the-boot finish |
| 54′ | Elijah Just | New Zealand | Clinical finish following a give-and-go; Assist by Wood |
| 64′ | Mohammad Mohebi | Iran | Glancing header off the post; Assist by Rezaeian |
Second Half: Just Strikes Again, but Mohebi Rescues a Point
The second half began with both teams pursuing a crucial second goal. Just took center-stage again nine minutes after the interval. Wood was involved again, playing a give-and-go with his captain before finding the far corner.
With this brace, Just became the first New Zealand player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. Furthermore, Wood became the first Kiwi player to record multiple assists in a single World Cup game. In fact, Wood is only the third player to provide multiple assists for the same teammate in a single match across the last three World Cups (joining Ivan Perisic for Andrej Kramaric and Joao Felix for Goncalo Ramos in 2022).
However, New Zealand’s second lead only lasted 10 minutes. Rezaeian supplied a pinpoint cross from the right flank, with Mohammad Mohebi’s glancing header bouncing in off the post.
The final 25 minutes were a frantic, end-to-end spectacle. Iran out-shot New Zealand 10 to 5 after the break and looked the more likely victors. However, New Zealand substitute Ryan Thomas made one vital clearance late on, and goalkeeper Max Crocombe stood firm as the teams settled for a point apiece. Referee César Ramos kept things under control, showing a single yellow late on to Ehsan Hajsafi (89′).
Tactical Breakdown: By the Numbers
Possession finished at 52% to 48% in New Zealand’s favor, but the chance quality tilted slightly to Iran. Iran’s expected goals (xG) measured 1.50 against New Zealand’s 1.24. Total shots read 17 to 14 for Iran, yet shots on target leaned heavily the other way: 8 for New Zealand to 4 for Iran. That split explains the goalkeeper workload, with Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand making six saves to Crocombe’s two.
Big chances landed 3 to 2 for Iran, with both teams converting two of those. Iran led 25 to 21 in touches inside the penalty area and won the duel battle 53% to 47%. Aerial duels were a clear Iranian strength (59% won). New Zealand, though, were cleaner in the final third phase, completing 72 of 98 actions there (73% accuracy compared to Iran’s 60%).
Iran’s 4-4-2 consistently funneled play to the flanks, hitting 19 crosses and connecting on 6, while also mixing in 63 long balls (29 accurate). New Zealand’s 4-2-3-1 leaned on Wood as an all-around reference point. He finished with two assists, four key passes, and steady link play.
Player Spotlight: Rezaeian and Just
The standout performer was Iran’s right-back Ramin Rezaeian. He became the first player to provide a goal and an assist in a single World Cup game for his nation. Across 90 minutes, he attempted 11 crosses (4 accurate), hit 12 long balls (7 accurate), fed the chance pipeline with 3 key passes, and produced 0.33 expected assists (xA). He carried the ball 24 times, progressing play by more than 100 meters, and won 7 of 8 duels.
Elijah Just matched that impact at the other end with a perfect two shots, two goals line. He completed 22 of 26 passes, added a key pass, and recovered the ball seven times.
For New Zealand, defender Finn Surman posted nine clearances, three blocks, and three interceptions, passing cleanly at 51 of 54. For Iran, substitute Mehdi Ghayedi gained creativity right away, with 2 accurate crosses and a team-high 0.40 xA in just 45 minutes.
What This Means for Group G
This exhilarating 2-2 draw caps a historic day for Group G. With Belgium and Egypt also playing out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, top spot in Group G was up for grabs, but the group is now completely deadlocked. All four teams sit on exactly one point after Matchday 1.
For New Zealand, the search for a first-ever World Cup win continues, but the performance in Los Angeles proves they are a genuine threat. For Iran, Ardeshir Ghalenoei’s side could not find a winner against the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, but avoiding defeat after trailing twice is a vital achievement.
If this match was any indication, Group G is set to be one of the tightest, most entertaining groups of the entire 2026 tournament.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H: Spain vs Cabo Verde Match Report – Heroic Cabo Verde Hold European Champions Spain to a 0-0 Draw in Opener
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G: Belgium vs Egypt Match Report – Lukaku’s Instant Impact Rescues 1-1 Draw for Belgium Against Egypt in Opener
Continue Reading: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Match Report – Maxi Araujo Rescues 1-1 Draw for Uruguay Against a Resolute Saudi Arabia
FAQs
What was the final score between Iran and New Zealand at the World Cup 2026?
Iran and New Zealand played out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw in their opening Group G match in Los Angeles.
Who scored the goals for New Zealand?
Motherwell winger Elijah Just scored both goals for New Zealand, making him the first Kiwi player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.
Who provided the assists for New Zealand’s goals?
Veteran striker Chris Wood provided the assist for both of Elijah Just’s goals, becoming the first New Zealand player to record multiple assists in a single World Cup game.
How did Iran respond to falling behind twice?
Right-back Ramin Rezaeian was the hero for Iran, scoring the first equalizer in the 32nd minute and providing the assist for Mohammad Mohebi’s header in the 64th minute.
What is the current situation in Group G following this result?
With Belgium and Egypt drawing 1-1 earlier in the day, the 2-2 draw between Iran and New Zealand leaves all four teams in Group G tied with exactly one point each.
