Mohammad Mohebbi Rescues Iran 2-2 Draw in Opta Group G

opta saw Iran come from behind twice and still leave SoFi Stadium with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. Mohammad Mohebbi’s second-half header off the post rescued the point after Elijah Just had put New Zealand ahead twice. All four teams in Group G finished the opening games on one point.

SoFi Stadium and 70,108

The match drew 70,108 and moved quickly. Just scored in the seventh minute, Ramin Rezaeian answered in the 32nd, and New Zealand went back in front when Just struck again in the 54th.

Iran had already been under pressure before kickoff. Protestors gathered outside SoFi Stadium calling for change in Tehran, and some sections of the crowd jeered Iran’s anthem before the match.

Mohebbi Heads Iran Level

The equalizer came later in the second half and changed the shape of the result. Mohebbi met the ball with a header off the post, and Iran had its second recovery of the night after falling behind again.

Chris Wood set up both of New Zealand’s goals, first combining with Just for the opener and then linking with him again for the second. New Zealand’s attacking moves were direct, while Iran needed the header from Mohebbi and the finish from Rezaeian to stay in the game.

Group G Stays Tight

The draw left Group G level after the opening round, with all four teams on one point. For Iran, that means the comeback kept the group within reach after a match that could have gone away twice; for New Zealand, the lead was there twice and still not enough.

That is the edge in a four-team group after one match: every point counts, and neither side walked away with separation.