Iran came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in a thrilling World Cup clash in Los Angeles on Monday, with protests against Tehran’s government and a deal to try to end the US-Iran war creating a tense atmosphere for the match.
New Zealand took an early lead at SoFi Stadium when Elijah Just headed inside the box after being set up by Chris Wood.
The goal was celebrated by some fans who criticized the Iranian government, most of them carrying the pre-revolutionary flag of Iran of Simba and Sun. Some also booed the Iranian national anthem before the start.
But most of the crowd of more than 70,000 seemed firmly behind Team Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and exploded when Ramin Rezaeian equalized with more than half an hour to go.
Rezaeian, one of several Iranian players who had not played club football since February after the domestic league was suspended amid US and Israeli airstrikes, reacted quickly to a shot that was blocked by a defender and curled the ball into the net and past the goalkeeper.
Wood and Just linked up again early in the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a precise pass into the path of the 26-year-old forward before Just hammered home to restore the All Whites’ lead.
