Iran, with enormous support from the public in Los Angeles, achieves an emotional draw
With the support of tens of thousands of opponents of the Islamic regime, the Iranian team comes from behind against New Zealand in a fun 2-2 at SoFi Stadium
Tens of thousands of Iranian fans arrived at SoFi Stadium on Monday afternoon to support their soccer team, which debuted in the 2026 World Cup with a vibrant 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
The Iranian team had arrived a day earlier in the Los Angeles area from Tijuana, where their training base is located after the immigration obstacles imposed by the United States government.
Outside the Inglewood stadium there was a harsh protest against their presence in the United States, but the vast majority of Iranians who attended Monday's event did so with mixed feelings, in their own words: excited to have the Iranian team participating in the World Cup, but condemning the brutal Islamic regime in the Middle Eastern country.
In a situation that only an event like the World Cup can offer, the two flags of Iran were seen inside the stadium: that of the lion and the sun that represents the country before the Islamic revolution and the flag of the current regime, with the same colors, but with a stylized red emblem in the center. The lion and sun flags, which FIFA tried to ban for the World Cup, clearly predominated in the stands.
When the Iranian players took the field for the first time, there was much applause and even hubbub. But when the country's anthem was played, there were many boos.
In general, during the match, Iran received great support from the public, including thousands and thousands of Mexican fans who, given the opportunity to live the World Cup experience, bought tickets at good prices. Many of them arrived from Baja California.
It was the Mexicans who during the first half - and not for lack of good action on the field - began to raise “the wave” until it took shape and took a few turns.
By then, New Zealand had won with a goal from Elijah Just, who hit goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand with a right-footed volley after receiving a chest pass from forward Chris Wood in the area in the 7th minute.
Iran, which had a lot of goals throughout the match, came from behind for the first time on the scoreboard to tie with an unconventional shot by Ramin Rezaeian, who connected the ball with the outside of his shoe before goalkeeper Max Crocombe came out.
The Iranian full-back himself had started the play on the right and the ball reached him - with a little luck - behind a long wall. He celebrated by covering his head with his shirt at 32'.
The “Olé, olé, olé, olé” sounded at SoFi Stadium, where a few thousand New Zealand fans were also seen. The official attendance was 70,108 spectators to continue with the resounding box office success in the so-called largest World Cup in history
The so-called “Kiwis” regained the lead after 55 minutes and it was again due to a combination of the dangerous Just and Wood. The latter, with his back to the goal, gave the ball to the winger who plays in Scottish football, who scored from the right to become the first player from his country to achieve a double in the World Cup.
However, the Iranian team tied the game again. It was at 64' when Mohammad Mohebbi headed a Rezaeian cross alone in the area to shake the nets.
The rest of the game was full of emotions, dangerous plays and a first-class atmosphere in the stands, where the tricolor flags with the lion and the sun took the victory.
The match was directed by Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos, who angered the Iranian players in the first half when he was too tolerant, but then had no setbacks on a night in which both teams dedicated themselves to playing with dedication and good touches.
Iran and New Zealand remain with 1 point in Group G, the same as Belgium and Egypt, who earlier tied 1-1.