World
Elijah Just double earns New Zealand a thrilling Group G draw with Iran
The winger struck either side of half-time but Iran fought back through Rezaeian and Mohebi to share the spoils at SoFi Stadium.
An open, end-to-end contest at SoFi Stadium produced four goals and two points apiece, as Iran and New Zealand played out a 2-2 draw to open their Group G campaigns in front of 70,108 fans in Inglewood.
Just gives the All Whites a flying start
New Zealand could hardly have asked for a better beginning. Elijah Just struck inside seven minutes to stun Iran, and although Ramin Rezaeian levelled with a fine finish in the 32nd minute, Just restored the All Whites' lead in the 54th minute with his second of the night.
Mohebi salvages a point
Iran refused to fold. Mohammad Mohebi found the equaliser in the 64th minute, and from there both sides traded chances without finding a decisive third goal. The draw was a fair reflection of a spirited encounter between two evenly matched outsiders.
The result left the group wide open after matchday one, with all four teams separated by the finest of margins and New Zealand encouraged by their attacking threat.
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