Iran fought back twice to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles, and Ramin Rezaeian was the main reason they got out with a point. He scored once, created once and finished with a 9.3 rating in a game that kept swinging away from Iran before they pulled it back. With Belgium and Egypt also drawing 1-1, Group G has started in a mess.

Sky Sports called it “the game of the tournament so far,” saying: “Iran put their turbulent build-up to the World Cup behind them as they fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zeland in what was the game of the tournament so far.” The spelling is theirs, but the point stands. This was a proper scrap, and Rezaeian shaped it more than anyone else.

Why Rezaeian was the decisive figure

New Zealand struck first through E. Just in the 7th minute, and for a while Iran looked stretched by the direct threat running through Just and Chris Wood. Wood set up both New Zealand goals, and Just took both chances well enough to end with two goals and a 9 rating.

Iran's response came through Rezaeian. He equalised in the 32nd minute after continuing a forward run, the kind of move that showed how aggressively he was joining attacks. By full time, he had one goal and one assist, meaning he directly contributed to both Iran goals.

That made his 9.3 rating pretty easy to justify. In a match where Iran had to chase twice, he was their cleanest route back into it and their most productive player.

There were other openings too. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi struck the post after a long run from his own half, a moment that underlined how much danger Iran still carried even when the game was against them.

How New Zealand let control slip

New Zealand went ahead again in the 54th minute, again through Just, and that should have given them a real platform. Two goals from one forward and two assists from Wood usually puts you in command of this kind of game.

Instead, Iran stayed alive long enough to punish them. Alireza Beiranvand made six saves, which mattered because New Zealand created enough to put the game away. Iran's second equaliser arrived when M. Mohebi guided a header in off the foot of the post to make it 2-2.

Mohebi's own rating was 7.3, but the bigger point was the timing of the goal. Iran had already recovered once. Doing it again changed the feel of the result and stopped New Zealand turning a strong attacking display into an opening win.

The Independent focused on the wider backdrop around Iran's build-up and reported that the team had overcome major obstacles just to get to the finals. It also reported that Iran had to switch training from the United States to Mexico because of visa issues, and that 11 non-playing officials were blocked from entering the States. That second claim has not been matched elsewhere in this source set, so it sits as part of the context rather than a settled detail.

What the draw means for Group G

The immediate effect is simple enough: Iran vs New Zealand finished level, and neither side has managed to separate itself early in the group.

Sky Sports reported that all four teams in Group G were on one point after Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt. Some competition listings were still showing pre-match figures at the same time, so there is a small standings discrepancy in the background, but the broader reading is clear. Nobody has control of this group yet.

For Iran, that matters because the performance gave them more than just a point. Rezaeian was outstanding, Mohebi delivered when the chance came, and the team showed enough resilience to recover from two separate setbacks. For New Zealand, the frustration is obvious. Just scored twice, Wood created both, and they still had to settle for a draw.

FAQ

Why was Ramin Rezaeian the key player in Iran vs New Zealand?

Rezaeian was the standout because he directly contributed to both Iran goals. He equalised in the 32nd minute after continuing his forward run, then finished with one goal, one assist and a 9.3 rating in the 2-2 draw.

How did Iran come back against New Zealand in their World Cup 2026 opener?

Iran went behind in the 7th minute and again in the 54th minute as Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand. Rezaeian pulled Iran level the first time, and Mohammad Mohebbi later guided in a header off the foot of the post to make it 2-2.

Did New Zealand miss a chance to win their opening Group G match?

Yes. New Zealand led twice through Elijah Just's brace and had Chris Wood supplying both assists, but they could not hold either lead. Iran fought back both times, and the game finished 2-2 in Los Angeles.

Is Group G wide open after Iran vs New Zealand?

It looks that way. Sky Sports reported that all four teams in Group G were on one point after Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt, though other competition listings had not fully updated the post-match standings at the same time.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →