Eli just outstanding as Iran and New Zealand share spoils in wild World Cup draw
Iran twice come from behind in Los Angeles after double strike from Kiwi winger to leave Group G finally balanced
Iran twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in an exciting World Cup clash in Los Angeles on Monday, as protests against Tehran’s government and a tentative agreement to end the US-Iran war formed a charged backdrop to the match.
New Zealand took an early lead at SoFi Stadium when Elijah Just volleyed home from inside the box after being set up by Chris Wood.
The goal was celebrated by some fans critical of the Iranian government, many of whom carried Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag. Some also booed Iran’s national anthem before kick-off.
But most of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared firmly behind Team Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and erupting when Ramin Rezaeian equalised with little more than half an hour gone.
Rezaeian, one of several Iran players who had not played club football since February after the domestic league was suspended amid US and Israeli air strikes, reacted quickest to a shot blocked by a defender and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Wood and Just combined again early in the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a precise pass into the 26-year-old forward’s path before Just hammered home to restore the All Whites’ lead.