Iran vs New Zealand: World Cup match report

Live updates: Iran vs New Zealand

By Andrew McGarry

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163

Key Events

24

Iran vs New Zealand

32

Results

2

Goals

6

Iraq vs Norway

1

Press Conference

1

Spain vs Cabo Verde

44

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay

31

Belgium vs Egypt

42

That's all folks

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By David Hirst

Another day of World Cup drama is over.

Four games. Four draws.

That's where we'll leave it for today. Thanks for joining myself and Andrew.

Back tomorrow when heavyweights France and Argentina kick off their respective campaigns.

FT: New Zealand denied historic win by Iran

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By David Hirst

New Zealand were denied a historic first ever World Cup win after Iran twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.

New Zealand took the lead on seven minutes when Chris Wood did brilliantly to hold the ball up before Elijah Just rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

Iran levelled shortly after the first drinks break when Ramin Rezaeian nipped in to tuck the ball past New Zealand keeper Max Crocombe.

Just scored his second on 54 minutes when he fired home from inside the box after a neat lay-off from Wood.

Iran levelled again on 63 minutes through Mohammad Mohebbi's header to deny the Kiwis the win.

90' Five minutes of stoppage time

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By David Hirst

Any late drama?

'80 Iran captain taken off

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By David Hirst

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has been taken off, with Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh on.

Not long now for someone to make a name for themselves.

76' Will there be a winner?

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By David Hirst

Iran looking more likely, but don't rule out New Zealand.

Social media superstar Tim Payne is taken off, Callan Elliot is on.

67' NZ make changes after goal

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By David Hirst

Ryan Thomas and Ben Old come on for Liberato Cacace and Callum McCowatt.

Both sides get a chance for a breather in the second drinks break.

63' Another goal for Iran!!

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By David Hirst

The wait for a first World Cup win might have to continue!

It's a fantastic cross into the box and Mohammad Mohebbi glances a great header into the bottom corner off the post.

This is turning into a thriller.

NZ close in on history

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By David Hirst

Wow, can New Zealand hold on for a historic win?

Never won a game at a World Cup.

Iran struggling to create chances.

54' Stunning goal for New Zealand!

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By David Hirst

Elijah Just has scored again!!!

Great play from the Kiwis.

Wood does well to lay the ball off to Just, who then fires the ball into the roof of the net.

Dreamland for New Zealand!

53' Even start to the half

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By David Hirst

Both sides have threatened, but they're not really creating much so far in this half.

Another Iranian change — Ali Alipour on for Shahriyar Moghanlou.

Second half kicks off in LA

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By David Hirst

We've already had three draws today, will this one be a fourth?

Or will someone become a hero?

Iran made a change at the break. Mehdi Ghayedi on for Yousefi.

Graham Arnold talks up Iraq's chances against Norway

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By Amanda Shalala

The Socceroos aren't playing again until Saturday morning Australian time, but there'll be an Aussie connection tomorrow when the Graham Arnold-coached Iraq faces Norway in Boston.

The former Socceroos mentor helped Iraq qualify for the first time since 1986, and he's been speaking at his pre-match press conference.

"I'm so excited for tomorrow night," he said.

"It's been a great journey. From the day I took over have enjoyed every minute of it.

"Qualifying for the first time in 40 years is a huge moment for me but also makes me very proud of the players that they've made 46 million Iraqis in Iraq very proud. I know there are a lot of Iraqis outside of Iraq that are proud too."

Norway, led by Manchester City's superstar striker Erling Haaland, will be the favourite, but Arnold is characteristically determined.

"We've only got everything to win, not to lose," he said.

"We've got to play to our strengths. My job with Iraq at this World Cup is to get the best out of each individual and the best out of the team, and I believe we can do that.

"We've got to back ourselves. What we can't do is be scared. We've got to be excited and be prepared for that 1 v 1 fight."

Arnold led Australia to that glorious run to the round of 16 in Qatar 2022, and he wants to guide Iraq down a similarly inspired path.

"Qualification is not enough, I want more."

Vozinha doing a Tim Payne

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By Amanda Shalala

Tim Payne isn't the only social media star of this tournament.

Now Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha has followed suit after his heroic performance against Spain earlier today.

He went from tens of thousands of followers before the match to 4.1 million!!

All square at half-time in LA

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By David Hirst

New Zealand have never won a game at the World Cup.

They've got another 45 minutes to fix that.

At half-time though, Iran looking more likely winners.

49' Iran goal ruled out for offside

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By David Hirst

Iran thought they'd taken the lead.

A glancing header went in the top corner but he was miles offside.

44' Wood effort on target

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By David Hirst

Chris Wood smacks a free kick but it's straight at the Iranian keeper.

Six minutes added for stoppages.

Drinks break did NZ no favours

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By David Hirst

New Zealand have been second-best since the drinks break.

I've noticed a few times during this World Cup that teams lose momentum after the drinks break.

31' Goal for Iran!!!

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By David Hirst

It had been coming!

A deafening roar from the crowd greets Iran's equaliser.

Ramin Rezaeian nips in to tuck the ball past the NZ keeper.

He was just onside.

Iran have been on top since the drinks break.