Though hugely unfancied – as they were back in 2010 – and the lowest-ranked side in this WC edition, New Zealand got off to a stunning start by taking the lead inside seven minutes. Chris Wood brilliantly controlled a long ball up the pitch, laying off to Sarpreet Singh, who played in Elijah Just.
Following a quick one-two again with Wood, the Motherwell forward flicked the ball up before volleying home an unstoppable strike from just inside the box, sending the All-Whites and their fans into delirious raptures.
Looking to spearhead an equaliser, Mehdi Taremi was denied by the woodwork midway through the first half after driving at the All Whites defence with a run from the half-way line, before his strike just outside the 18-yard box cannoned back off the right post.
But Iran finally equalised on 32’, when Ramin Rezaeian poked home the loose ball in the box after Shahriyar Moghanlou’s initial strike was blocked, as New Zealand failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven WC games.
Iran then thought the comeback was complete in first-half stoppage time when Ali Nemati nodded in following a free-kick into the box, but his joy was short-lived as the offside flag was quickly raised, closing out an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
Picking up where they left off before the break, Iran continued to threaten with two early efforts in the second half. Mehdi Ghayedi, introduced ahead of the restart, had an effort blocked on the edge of the box before Shahriyar Moghanlou sent a shot high and wide.
However, in similar circumstances to the first half, New Zealand soaked up the early pressure and hit their opponents with a surprise foray forward, restoring their lead with 54’ on the clock. Again linking up with Wood, this time Just drove towards the Iranian 18-yard-box, played another one-two with the Nottingham Forest before firing past Alireza Beiranvand
Iran’s last eight WC goals prior to today had all been scored after the break, and Amir Ghalenoei’s men continued the theme of second-half goals, restoring parity once again 10 minutes later. The All Whites defence was caught sleeping as Mohammad Mohebi found himself unmarked in the box to head home from Rezaeian’s cross.
The two nations could not be split in a blockbuster encounter in Los Angeles, with New Zealand left feeling frustrated after twice dropping their lead and remain without a WC victory in seven attempts (D4, L3) as they face Egypt next.
Iran, meanwhile, showed fight to twice come from behind but face a stern test against Belgium next, as they aim to make it out of the group stage for the first time in their seventh WC finals appearance.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
