Elijah Simply scored each of New Zealand’s objectives in both half; Rezaeian and Mohebbi levelled for Iran in Group G recreation.
Printed On 16 Jun 2026
Iran twice got here from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in an thrilling World Cup conflict at Los Angeles Stadium as protests towards Tehran’s authorities and a peace deal signed to finish the US-Iran warfare shaped a charged backdrop to the match.
Excessive safety presence and protests outdoors the venue had been among the many off-field considerations surrounding the match on Monday.
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And when New Zealand took an early lead by Elijah Simply’s volleyed shot from contained in the field, after being arrange by Chris Wooden, some followers crucial of the Iranian authorities celebrated with New Zealand supporters.
Many of those anti-regime spectators additionally carried Iran’s pre-Islamic Revolution Lion and Solar flag, towards FIFA’s guidelines. A number of additionally booed Iran’s nationwide anthem earlier than kickoff.
However a lot of the crowd of greater than 70,000 appeared firmly behind Workforce Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and erupting when Ramin Rezaeian equalised shortly after the half-hour mark.
Rezaeian, certainly one of a number of Iran gamers who had not performed membership soccer since February after the home league was suspended amid US and Israeli air strikes, reacted quickest to a blocked shot and poked the ball previous the advancing goalkeeper.
Wooden and Simply mixed once more early within the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a exact cross into the 26-year-old ahead’s path earlier than Simply hammered house to revive the All Whites’ lead.
Iran responded 10 minutes later with an outstanding purpose from Mohammad Mohebbi, who headed Rezaeian’s excellent cross in off the far submit to make it 2-2.
The stalemate means all of the groups in Group G have one level after Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt earlier on Monday.
New Zealand, making their third look on the match, stay with no win at a World Cup after seven matches. Iran wish to attain the knockout spherical for the primary time.
The match laid naked divisions amongst Iranian American followers, a lot of whom mentioned they felt torn between pleasure at seeing Iran on the game’s greatest stage, anger over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern over Washington’s bombing marketing campaign.
Earlier than kickoff, about 300 to 500 protesters gathered outdoors the stadium, waving anti-government indicators and flags.
Some Iranian People had mentioned attending the match would suggest assist for Iran’s authorities, whereas others mentioned they wished to set politics apart and assist the gamers.
Iran will subsequent return to Los Angeles to face Belgium on Sunday when New Zealand tackle Egypt in Vancouver.
