New ZealandvsIran
NZL 2/IRN 2
Things to say
New Zealand and Iran played to a 2-2 draw at SoFi Stadium.
01
opener
Wild one at SoFi. New Zealand and Iran went two-all, neither side could see it out. Group stage points split.
02
key player
Beiranvand was the only reason Iran walked away with a point — six saves, kept them in it.
03
hot take
Chris Wood had four shots and somehow didn't bury one of them. That's a striker problem, not a tactics problem.
04
deep cut
Finn Surman put up 18 defensive interventions and 51 accurate passes from the back. Kid was everywhere.
05
exit
Both still alive in the group — winner of the next one basically punches through.
The recap
Wild one at SoFi — New Zealand and Iran traded blows and walked away with a 2-2 draw, both sides picking up a point but neither getting the win they badly wanted in their World Cup opener. Chris Wood was a handful up top for the Kiwis, leading the line with four shots and giving the Iran back four a proper workout all night.
The story on the other end was Alireza Beiranvand, who stood on his head with six saves to keep Iran level when it could've gotten ugly. Honestly, with Finn Surman mopping up everything in sight at the back, New Zealand will feel they had enough to nick it — a frustrating split for both camps.