Elijah Just scored twice for the All Whites, but Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi responded on each occasion as Iran staged a dramatic double comeback
Iran produced a dramatic double comeback on Tuesday, fighting back from two separate deficits to earn a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium in a fast-paced Group G thriller.
New Zealand started at full speed and opened the scoring just six minutes in. Elijah Just combined with Chris Wood to slide the ball home, giving the All Whites a dream start and sending their supporters into celebration.
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Iran responded in the 31st minute through veteran fullback Ramin Rezaeian, who restored parity and settled Iranian nerves. The goal came against the run of play, as New Zealand had controlled possession with 53 percent and created more chances in the opening half-hour.
The All Whites regained the lead in the 54th minute when Just scored his second of the match, finishing clinically after another combination with Wood. The goal made Just the first New Zealand player to score twice in a World Cup match since 1982.
Iran hit back again just nine minutes later. Mohammad Mohebi found the net in the 63rd minute, completing the second comeback and securing a share of the spoils for the Islamic Republic.
New Zealand finished with 13 shots, eight on target, while Iran managed 17 shots, four on target. Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made six saves, while his New Zealand counterpart made two.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, the match also featured a historic milestone: Chris Wood became the first-ever New Zealand player to feature in two different World Cup tournaments, having previously appeared in 2010. The result leaves both teams with a point in Group G, alongside Belgium and Egypt who drew 1-1 on Monday.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 16, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
