Iran vs New Zealand: Winners & losers - Just's double not enough

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GOAL

·16. Juni 2026

Iran vs New Zealand: Winners & losers - Just's double not enough

Iran twice fought back from behind to earn a 2–2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup Group G opener, with Elijah Just's brace cancelled out by goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi. The All Whites led at 7' and again at 54', but couldn't hold on as Rezaeian proved the catalyst for both Iranian equalisers. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Iran v New Zealand.

Winners

Elijah Just (New Zealand)

The Motherwell forward delivered a match-defining double to announce himself on the World Cup stage, opening the scoring in the 7th minute with a powerful right-footed finish into the top of the net after Chris Wood's chest layoff, then repeating the trick in the 54th minute with an almost identical strike from another Wood pass.

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His intelligent movement between the lines caused constant problems for Iran's defensive structure, and he combined superbly with Sarpreet Singh on New Zealand's left flank to create their most dangerous attacking moments. Just also drew the foul from Ehsan Hajsafi in the 89th minute that resulted in the match's only booking.

While Iran's resilience ultimately denied New Zealand a historic first World Cup victory, Just's brace demonstrated the All Whites possess genuine attacking threat at this tournament. His clinical finishing from Wood's layoffs gave New Zealand leads twice, but the defence couldn't protect what the attack had provided.

Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)

The right-back single-handedly rescued Iran's World Cup opener with direct involvement in both equalising goals, scoring the first at 32 minutes with a composed right-footed finish inside the area after Shahriar Moghanlou's initial effort was blocked, then delivering the precise cross that Mohammad Mohebi headed home to level at 2–2 in the 64th minute.

Operating practically as a winger for extended periods after Iran's first-half tactical adjustment, Rezaeian repeatedly stretched New Zealand's defensive structure with his willingness to advance from deep. His deliveries from the right flank consistently caused problems, creating numerous headed chances for his teammates throughout the contest.

Rezaeian's attacking contributions transformed Iran's threat and ensured his team salvaged a point despite twice falling behind. Without his relentless output from the right, Iran would have left Los Angeles empty-handed; instead, his goal and assist earned them a share of the spoils in their seventh World Cup appearance.

Loser

Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)

The playmaker had three clear shooting opportunities across the match but failed to convert any, leaving New Zealand ruing their inability to kill the game. At 12 minutes, Singh entered the area with a good dribble but shot awkwardly with his left foot, sending the ball wide and setting the tone for an evening of frustration.

Singh forced Alireza Beiranvand into a two-attempt save with a curling left-footed effort at 19 minutes, then had another opportunity inside the area at 61 minutes that lacked power and was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper. Each chance represented a moment where New Zealand could have extended their lead and put the result beyond doubt.

While Singh contributed to New Zealand's attacking fluency with his movement and combination play alongside Elijah Just, his lack of end product proved costly when converting just one more chance would have secured a historic first World Cup win for the All Whites. New Zealand have now drawn seven World Cup matches across three tournaments without recording a single victory.