World Cup 2026: Iran fight back twice to draw 2-2 with New Zealand

Iran 2-2 New Zealand: a comeback and a half

In their Group G fixture of the World Cup 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Iran and New Zealand traded blows in an entertaining 2-2 draw. New Zealand led twice through Elijah Just; Iran answered both times, through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.

The numbers tell of a tight contest. New Zealand edged possession 52% to 48% and were sharper in front of goal, registering eight shots on target to Iran's four, with a shot accuracy of 57% against Iran's 24%. Iran, though, carried the slightly higher threat by the expected goals model (xG = expected goals): 1.5 to New Zealand's 1.24. Iran also created more from open play, recording 11 key passes to New Zealand's nine, and matched their opponents on big chances created, two apiece. Alireza Beiranvand's busier afternoon is reflected in six goalkeeper saves for Iran against two for New Zealand.

A point each leaves Iran third in Group G on three points with a goal difference of zero, after three matches played. As things stand they sit eighth among the third-placed sides, which would be enough to reach the Round of 32 — but that remains provisional, dependent on results in the other groups. New Zealand finish fourth on a single point and are out of the group stage.

Who started it all at SoFi Stadium

Just strikes, Iran replies — twice over

New Zealand wasted no time. Inside seven minutes Chris Wood teed up Elijah Just, who finished to put them ahead. Iran steadied and drew level on 32 minutes through Ramin Rezaeian.

The pattern repeated after the break. Iran reshuffled at half-time, sending on Mehdi Ghaedi for Amirhossein Yousefi, then Alireza Alipour for Saeid Moghanlou just before the hour. Within a minute of that second change, New Zealand restored their lead: again it was Wood with the assist, again Just with the finish on 54 minutes. Iran's response was just as swift. On 64 minutes Rezaeian turned provider, setting up Mohammad Mohebi to make it 2-2.

The closing half-hour brought a flurry of changes from both benches without another goal. Ehsan Hajsafi, on for Saman Ghoddos shortly after the equaliser, picked up the match's only booking on 89 minutes. New Zealand emptied their bench into stoppage time, but the scoreline held.

Goalless calls, four-goal afternoon

The futbol.so community was split on this one, with no clear favourite. The most popular forecast was a goalless draw — a 0-0 that the four goals at SoFi Stadium quickly buried. Opinion varied by country too: predictors in Colombia leaned towards that same stalemate, while those in Argentina favoured a New Zealand win.

The official model had Iran as the likeliest winners and nudged towards a draw as its second scenario. In the end the draw landed, even if the scoreline did not. The official forecast had called 2-2 exactly — a rare moment when the model out-read the room.

Video highlights

Mohammad Mohebi Goal | IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Highlights | IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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DOPPIO JUST, l'IRAN la riprende due volte: Iran-Nuova Zelanda 2-2 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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Iran & New Zealand Play To 2-2 Draw

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ESPN FC reacts to Iran vs. New Zealand in World Cup Group G ⚽

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HIGHLIGHTS - Iran v New Zealand | Thrilling Game in LA | FIFA World Cup 2026

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World Cup: Iran vs New Zealand

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World Cup: Iran vs New Zealand

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World Cup: Iran vs New Zealand

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World Cup: Iran vs New Zealand

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World Cup: Iran vs New Zealand

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A draw flatters neither side entirely: New Zealand will rue leading twice and not seeing it out, while Iran can point to two disciplined recoveries. Just's brace was the standout, supplied twice by Wood; Rezaeian's goal-and-assist evening was Iran's quiet engine.

For Iran the wait now begins. Third place keeps them alive as a provisional best third, but their fate rests on results elsewhere. New Zealand's tournament, meanwhile, ends here.