Iran’s fightback against New Zealand in World Cup on US soil and ode to their spirit
5 min readNew JerseyJun 16, 2026 10:04 AM IST Four goals, two apiece by New Zealand and Iran, 31 shots on goals, and numerous defensive blunders made for a thrilling game at the Los Angeles Stadium. Draws were perhaps the day’s theme, as all teams that played split points. The Iran-New Zealand encounter was the most nail-biting of them all, with its rope-a-dope flow. Twice New Zealand gathered the lead, both times courtesy Chris Wood-Elijah Just alliance. Just netted a brace, and Wood a pair of assists, And twice Iran equalised. The goals, from build-up to finish, were exemplarily plotted, but not so much the game, strewn with numerous defensive lapses. AS IT HAPPENED | Iran vs New Zealand But after the stormy preparations and the grim war realities they had endured hours before the game; a peace treaty was signed between the US and Iran, Iran would be the more content side. The night’s man though was New Zealand winger Elijah, who plies his trade in the Scottish league but soon would summon the …
