Iran vs New Zealand Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup

Most of the Iran starting line-up have not played football since February in the league. That's because their domestic league was suspended. That includes the goalkeeper Behram Van and the entire back four, plus midfielder Arie Yousefi. Captain Mehdi Tarimi is arguably the best known name, the veteran Olympiakos forward, the main man in terms of goal scoring, although they also rely on him for creativity too, New Zealand field, a rather more regular and familiar starting line-up, though they're reeling from the news that attacking midfielder Matt Garbutt has been ruled out of the entire tournament. After picking up a hamstring injury in training, Callum McCowett takes his place in the starting line-up. It's an all-MLS centre-back pairing of Portland Timbers, Finn Surman and Michael Botsel of Minnesota United, who's approaching his 38th birthday this summer, captain Arie Yousefi. They have played internationally and they're trained, of course. They haven't had that club play. Lovely ball from Cartwell, over the top, and they could be in here, Iran, unable to test Matt Scroggin in the New Zealand goal. Well, that's going to be something that they want to do. They want to bring you over to one side, because we know that New Zealand, they are very compact, so that leaves that long diagonal ball, and then it's a one-on-one situation. We didn't take full advantage just then. Good play. That's what the hold-up play needs to do. Here is Chris Wood. Keep hold of it. Looking for strength, this finishing ability. Now, he's just got a fine chance to get him. Oh, and Chris Wood just has New Zealand up and running. The FIFA World Cup. And it all starts with the big man up front holding the ball up. Then you've got a supporting cast behind you. I told you, don't run him off. There's the ball first. Does he flick it? Oh, no. Hold it. Wait for support. No one closes him now. Now they're backing off. There's gaps. And I just love the little flick into the area here. He puts it in. Seeing the little dip. Good control. And what a finish this is. On the volley, in the back of the net. 1-0. Wonderful hold-up play again. Good experience. Turns around. Now I'm running at you. Now I need a bit of support. He gets it. And what a clean finish that is, Jackie. Our first World Cup goal for Elijah Just of Motherwell in Scotland. He's been linked with Celtic and Rangers. What a moment for him and his country. He's in the United Arab Emirates. And this is the goal as well. Two good, wonderful touches on the end of the area. And then the technique from Just to put that down. And everybody's celebrating the 26-year-old from Motherwell. Yes, we can see you. We can see you, young man. That's what it means. I love these pictures. They're so emotional. See, the Englishmen are quite reserved. We've seen other coaches run up and down, sliding in. They will just get in there and back to business again. Seattle is where the Knicks are going for the US. That is going to be one ticket that you want to have. Yeah, most certainly. United States playing against Australia in Seattle on Friday in the 90s. What a game that's going to be. Oh, the touch from Chris Wood. Now it's Justin, the goal scorer, again. Now Singh, lovely feet from Sarpreet Singh, but just could not compose himself at the vital moment. Again, it's going to drop here. And that's where they're getting results at the moment. They've got a good, sustained pressure. Oh, he's taken short by Kikachi. Here's Bell. They're loaded up at the back post if they can get it in there. Oh, the ambitious effort. Oh, and it's gone. Look at Chris Wood. And everybody inside this stadium expected the net to bulge any second. Dude, your elbow's in my face. This is the chance where you think he's going to pull the trigger. Little touch here, just come quite out of heat. But we spoke about defending as well, you know, getting down, blocking him off as he comes down. The touch, he just got stuck under his feet slightly as it spanned around. There's that little touch just there, just to put him off enough. That's a centre forward, by the way, getting back. Substitute for Iran. It hasn't scored for them since September 2023. It wasn't even in the preliminary squad initially for this tournament until there's an injury scare to Cheshmeh. And here he is starting the first game and denying Chris Wood what would have been a certain second. With that ball in as well with the treatment, he's got to have a minute off and that's to keep the game going. So at the moment, they're just down to 10 minutes. He's got a space here, just going himself. He's finding a way to hold him. He's picking up space. He's not dropping too deep. He's going to find Kikaci. Coward. Moves down just in the nick of time. Look at all the space. Look at the space to his left. He's not taking it. They backed off. You said they're backing off because they were worried about Chris Wood missing out. Iran again with Tomlin this time. He's claiming a penalty and absolutely fuming about not being awarded. Oh, the goalkeeper's too slow here, Crocombe. Helped out by Kikaci, but still he could be punished. Well, break that down. Max Crocombe got the nod in the end. A 32-year-old from Newall who lost his place in February. Newall passes and joined on loan from Sunderland. And now, Kikaci. Left back again. I think that just emphasises how much they've grown into this game. All is available on that left-hand side. He wasn't found when Ptolemy was in the centre and had little time in the world to find him. He went alone and hit the post, but we wouldn't have been mentioning that had it just crept inside the post, of course. Now here's Rezaian again. He's really popped in a few deliveries from his right-hand side. Progress with a touch. Rezaian with the equaliser for a run in Los Angeles. And now they're concentrating on the football. Look at that touch. That's what makes the goal. That little touch on the edge of the area. And again, that anticipation. The little run that comes in behind them. First of all, the touch. But look at this, for the outside of it. Just pokes it round as the advancing goalkeeper comes out. But it's that touch on the edge of the box that makes it. Fizzed in, little one-time touch. And that wonderful little flick round the corner. Cue the celebrations. Ramin Rezaian. Scored in the World Cup against Wales in Qatar. He just knows he's got to get it past the goalkeeper. That touch there opens up. You think they've blocked it. But the anticipation just on the captain. I think from there he's just going to try and hit it. And maybe a little bounce. Maybe a ricochet from somewhere. Chris Woods! Disflowed. Both sides have come here. Looking for the three points. That would frankly take them to the top of the table. Ahead of both Belgium and Egypt. Who drew earlier on today. Now here's Woods. For New Zealand. The skipper. Oh, there's a strike. But just without the power on it. That time from Callum McCann. Now with a long throw from Yusufi. Oh! Just for a second. Crocombe wasn't too sure where that was heading. Yeah, he's not Gamble. Don't guess. Because this little touch could have flown into the back of the net. Because he's taken too much of a chance on the other side. Now the captain. As if this group is there for the taking. And here come Iran. Ramatic. I think a lot of people have seen this quite a lot in the World Cup so far. That the defensive units stand higher up. The goal scorer. Ramin Rezaian. Standing over this free kick. Deep into stoppage time. He's drawn them level. You can see when the ball is in. Yes. Even with my eyes I can see that. And that's what I'm saying. A lot of defensive units have done that. They've been brave enough to hold that line. And it is Aryeh Yusufi coming off. A player who played largely wide left in the first half. Made himself available. Had plenty of space. But he is one of the players who plays in the Iranian League. But also how efficient New Zealand have been. With their shots on target. Some of them have been to warm the goalkeeper's hands. What about this for a strike? Motion from anywhere. Chris Wood. He's perfectly capable from there. At front tonight. But he put in an essential block early on. He managed to start instead. Fekatje. Playing with Mojave. Now Iran putting the ball away. Now Fekatje again. The Italian dad. That's the name. Singh. Oh this is neat and tidy from New Zealand. Oh this is fabulous from New Zealand. The full goal from New Zealand. And it's Elijah just again. And New Zealand regain the lead. The top shelf as well. And I guess who's involved again? Wood. The little combination. Just watch him little disguise here. Just lays it up. What a finish by the young player from Motherwell. Just a composure. A little give and go. And you think do you hold it up? No I'm going to lay it off to you first time. Just put that into the roof of the net. They don't disappoint. It goes down. But what a finish as well. You've got a tendency to get in there and hit it low. But he gets enough height to get it over the defender. And the goalkeeper. What a response. And New Zealand heading to the top of Group G. With their first ever World Cup victory. As things stand. But just the intricate play. The give. The go. The movement. And then just drill for the tournament. Now what about the reaction? Khalid. He's been busy since coming off the bench. That's a useful looking ball in. Oh he's back again. He managed to scramble it away. I'm not saying he should catch it. But there was definitely the flag dip. Just as they squeeze up there. They've had a good line actually. Clearly offside. Give him a bit of credit. He bounces up and then he pushes it away. They've done that really well New Zealand. They've well drilled. They'll be having a 37 goal. Tomorrow on Fox. Followed by Iraq against Norway. A certain Haaland. He was born in England. But we'll let him play for Norway. Now here's Chris Wood. On the strike. Just couldn't quite get a handle on it. There are some breaks. So you can just regroup. Get some fluids in you. Fine ball from Mohamed. Oh look at this one. Mohamed Moebi for Iran. Relief and release. For Mohamed Moebi. And his Iran teammates. Quality. One. What a diagonal ball. What a ball to switch play. We've said about that earlier on. Now look at the movement. Can you deliver the ball? It is a wonderful delivery. An exquisite header. Just a beautiful guide into that far post. What a scene. What a feeling. What a goal. Ramin Rezaian scored one. And now made one. And that is what it means. Everything in that midfield for Iran. His heart will be pumping out of his chest. The atmosphere inside this stadium. He's given everything. And he's worked his socks off. On the back as well. And again sometimes it just might be fresh legs. It's not necessarily more experience. It's no surprise there are fresh legs. Rezaian swinging it in towards Tonomi. Zulahi again. Oh this is dangerous. Sickly away again by Sermon. He's got an accent. And they come again, Iran. Never quite know when they're beaten. Oh but what about the football from New Zealand? They've been playing some fabulous stuff. A long time in coming. We're into the 90th minute. The quality that you're showing. Seeing some of the goals. For both groups of players. Jesse Randall coming on. And off comes. You know what you're going to get sometimes from a young player. But one thing about him. He's direct. Down by the youngster Bindon. And this is dangerous. And what's underneath it? Well we're right behind that. And I'm thinking has he got enough power? He just couldn't come back enough. To come onto the ball. He's always. Going to suck this ball into the back of the net. For what would be. Potentially a momentous goal. And a momentous victory. Oh and it's away heroically on the line. What a play. Put in that challenge a moment ago. Ryan Thomas. They haven't got time. They're breathing down their neck. They're trying to get the ball off you. They can say to you to be exhausted. But to be proud of their team. Darren Baisley's demeanour there said it all. You think of that fabulous second goal from just. And it is all over. A pulsating game. In L.A. Has ended. With a point of peace. They know the game was there for the taking. Darren Baisley's side having twice taken the lead. Playing some fabulous stuff. But the resilience. Was there. For all to see. And it is a point of peace. In a 2-all draw.