Sarpreet Singh’s assist puts New Zealand ahead, but Iran fight back twice in a 2-2 World Cup draw
Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand after Sarpreet Singh set up the opener, but Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi struck back to earn Iran a 2-2 draw in their Group G opener in Los Angeles.
Jun 16, 2026
New Zealand twice led and were twice pegged back at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, and a player with roots in Punjab set up the first of their goals. Elijah Just struck inside the opening ten minutes and again early in the second half, but Iran responded through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi to finish 2-2 in their Group G opener.
The pass that opened the scoring came from Sarpreet Singh, the Auckland-born midfielder whose parents emigrated from Punjab. Singh has spoken often about growing up in a Punjabi household in South Auckland, and his presence in this New Zealand side has turned the All Whites into a team plenty of Indian fans now follow. His clipped ball over the Iran defence set up the opener, part of a display that earned New Zealand a point against higher-ranked opponents even as their long wait for a first World Cup win went on.
A goal worth the wait
The opener arrived in the seventh minute and it was a well-worked one. Singh lifted a pass over the Iranian back line, captain Chris Wood took it down and laid it off first time, and Just arrived to finish from inside the box. For a team ranked 85th in the world, the lowest of the 48 sides at this World Cup, it was the kind of sharp, rehearsed move that does not happen by accident. Just was not finished there either, combining with Wood again to restore New Zealand’s lead in the 55th minute and complete his brace.
New Zealand had gone six matches at previous World Cups without a victory. Three defeats came in Spain in 1982, then three draws in South Africa in 2010, including the famous stalemate with defending champions Italy. This was their third appearance at the finals, and a point against Iran was a creditable return, even if the wait for a first World Cup win continues.
Iran fight back twice
Iran, ranked more than 50 places above New Zealand, had the better of the possession and hit back each time they fell behind. Their first equaliser came in the 32nd minute, when an Iranian effort rebounded into the box and Ramin Rezaeian reacted quickest to turn it home. After Just had put New Zealand back in front, Rezaeian turned provider, swinging in a cross that Mohammad Mohebi rose to head past the goalkeeper and make it 2-2.
For Iran, who arrived as one of Asia’s strongest qualifiers, a draw with the lowest-ranked side at the tournament was not the start they wanted in a group they had been expected to navigate comfortably, though the way they recovered twice underlined their attacking threat.
What it means for New Zealand
Wood, the Nottingham Forest striker and his country’s all-time leading scorer, has carried this team for years, and the captain admitted before kick-off that limited time together would test them. Twice his side led and twice they were caught, but Darren Bazeley’s players walked away with a point and a platform in Group G that few had predicted for the tournament’s rank outsiders.
The Punjabi connection only adds to the story on this side of the world. Singh has been described as the first player of his heritage to grace a men’s World Cup, and his assist in New Zealand’s World Cup opener gives Indian supporters a genuine reason to keep watching Group G.