Elijah Just scores twice as Iran draws 2-2 with New Zealand

Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. Motherwell forward Elijah Just scored both New Zealand goals.

Chris Wood held up the ball and passed to Just, who volleyed home for the opening goal. Iran equalised when Ramin Rezaeian flicked the ball past Max Crocombe. Before the leveller, Mehdi Taremi struck the post with a drive from outside the box and had a goal ruled out for offside.

In the second half Just combined again with Wood and lofted the ball over Alireza Beiranvand for his second goal. Iran restored parity when Mohammad Mohebbi headed in from a Ramin Rezaeian cross, the ball hitting the inside of the post.

All four sides in Group G sit on one point after Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt. Iran’s participation was uncertain due to US‑Iran hostilities, but a cease‑fire agreement was announced on Sunday, and the team trained in Mexico after being denied US visas and moving from a planned base in Arizona. Iran recorded 17 shots to New Zealand’s 14, but neither side could claim a winner.