World Cup
1:00 A.MJune 16, 2026
Group stage – 1
SoFi Stadium
Referee: César Ramos Palazuelos, Mexico
Iran
new zealand
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
1.50
Expected Goals (xG)
1.24
-0.20
Prevented goals
-0.20
Passing by
312 (77%)
Accurate passes
377 (85%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Alireza Beiranvand
6.7
5
d
Milad Mohammadi
6.2
19
d
But don’t have any
6.5
4
d
Shoja Khalilzadeh
6.3
d
Ramin Rezaeian
32′
64′
17
m
Aria Yousefi
6.6
6
m
Saeed Ezatolahi
6.6
14
m
Saman Ghoddos
6.7
m
Mohammad Mohebi
64′
9
F
Mehdi Taremi (C)
6.9
20
F
Shahriar Moghanlou
6.9
Substitutes
24
F
Dennis Eckert Ayensa
7
F
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
16
m
Mahdi Torabi
21
m
Mohammad Ghorbani
26
m
Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
15
m
Roozbeh Cheshmi
13
d
Hossein Canaan
2
d
Saleh Hardani
22
G
Hossein Hosseini
12
G
Payam Niazmand
F
Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh
80′ Replaced by M. Taremid
Ehsan Hajsafi
89′Stumbled
65′ Replaced by S. GhoddosF
Ali Alipour
53′ Replaced by S. Moghanlou
10
F
Mehdi Ghayedi
7.0
1
G
Max Crocombe
6.9
13
d
Cacace released
6.2
5
d
Michael Boxall
6.7
16
d
Finn Surman
7.2
2
d
Tim Payne
6.2
8
m
Marko Stamenic
6.6
6
m
Joe Bell
6.6
m
Elijah Just
7′
54′
10
m
Sarpreet Singh
5.9
20
m
Callum McCowatt
6.7
F
Chris Wood (C)
7′ 54′ No ranking data available for this league
Iran and New Zealand played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the SoFi Stadium in a World Cup encounter defined by clinical finishing and defensive vulnerability from both sides.
The game provided immediate drama when New Zealander Elijah Just struck in the seventh minute to give the visitors an early lead. Just’s composure in front of goal set the tone for what would become an entertaining offensive display from both teams throughout the 90 minutes.
Iran quickly responded to the early setback. Ramin Rezaeian tied the game in the 32nd minute with a fine finish. The Iranian defender’s goal showed clinical execution and gave the home crowd hope heading into the break.
New Zealand came out strongly after the break and regained the lead through Just in the 54th minute. The striker’s second goal of the day extended their tally and looked to have put the visitors on course for victory at the time.
However, Iran refused to surrender. Mohammad Mohebi equalized in the 64th minute, dragging his team level once again. The goal brought intense pressure from the hosts, but the New Zealand defense held firm despite sustained Iranian attacks in the closing stages.
Just’s two-goal performance earned him a 9.0 match rating, highlighting his clinical finishing when the opportunities came. Rezaeian matched that standard with a 9.3 rating, providing both a goal and an assist while contributing three key passes throughout the encounter.
New Zealand dominated possession with 52 per cent possession and created better chances overall. The away team recorded eight shots on target compared to Iran’s four, with an expected goals ratio (xG) of 1.24. Iran managed 1.5xG despite lower possession figures, showing they counted their chances when they came.
Exposed defensive weaknesses affected both fields. Iran conceded eight shots on goal from New Zealand’s total of 14 attempts. The hosts managed just four shots on target despite 17 total attempts, indicating less precision in their finishing.
Rezaeian’s overall performance stood out beyond his goal contribution. The Iranian full-back made three tackles and created multiple chances for his teammates, proving influential at both ends of the pitch. New Zealander Chris Wood provided two assists despite not scoring himself, orchestrating play from midfield.
Neither team could find a winner despite the late pressure. Ehsan Hajsafi was shown a yellow card in the 89th minute as tension mounted towards the final whistle. The draw leaves both teams with work to do in their World Cup campaigns.
This result reflects the competitive nature of modern international football, where quality teams can cancel each other out. Both Iran and New Zealand showed attacking intent but defensive limitations that could prove costly in the qualifiers. The point apiece keeps both sides in contention for promotion, although each will aim for wins in their remaining group games.
