Iran fight back twice to rescue thrilling draw against New Zealand

Iran put their turbulent build-up to the World Cup behind them as they fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zeland in what was arguably the game of the tournament so far.

A World Cup had never kicked off with a host at war with a participant before. Iran have faced the threat of being unable to take their place at the tournament ever since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign back in February, been forced to change training venue from the US to Mexico to combat visa issues, and still had 11 non-playing officials blocked from entering the States for the team's matches.

'Lion and Sun' flags - the emblem of Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution - were in evidence within the stadium despite FIFA's efforts to ban them and there was definitely booing of the anthem before the game from Los Angeles' Iranian diaspora in attendance. However, overwhelmingly, the fans had decided the team were not the regime, and roared them on from the outset.

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After a bright start from Iran, New Zealand took the lead in the seventh minute after Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood held the ball up at well and combined with Motherwell forward Elijah Just, who steered a volley past goalkeeper Alireza Behranvand.

Iran repsonded well as Ramin Rezaeian found an equaliser but Just grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes into the second half as combined with Wood again before rounding off a flowing team move to put New Zeland on course for a first World Cup win.

However, Iran hit back again. Rezaeian swung in a cross from the right and Mohammad Mohebbi guided a header in off the foot of the post to secure a draw that leaves all four teams in Group G on one point following Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Protestors gathered outside Sofi Stadium, calling for change in Tehran ahead of Iran's first game at the World Cup.

Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd in LA

7: GOAL! Just's strike game New Zealand lead against the run of play

32: GOAL! Rezaeian brought Iran level as the first hydration break broke New Zealand's momentum

54: GOAL!: Just combined with Wood for a second time to give New Zealand the lead again

64: GOAL! Mohebbi headed Iran level again in topsy-turvy contest

Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd at SoFi Stadium.

While a peace deal may have finally been agreed on Sunday, the build-up to the game only served to highlight the complexities and polarised views around the team's participation.

Protestors gathered outside the stadium in LA before kick off, calling for change in Tehran.

Meanwhile, inside the stadium, the anthem was greeted by audible boos but minutes earlier, there had been loud cheers when images of the team in the tunnel appeared on the giant screens above the pitch, and the team also had strong vocal backing once the match kicked off.

The Iranian community in Los Angeles is primarily comprised of those who fled the country around the time of the 1979 Islamic revolution, or the children of those who did, and as such anti-regime sentiment is strong here.

FIFA had won a case to ban flags with the pre-revolution 'Lion and Sun' emblem on from being brought to the stadium earlier on Monday, but plenty were in evidence within the venue in the lead-up to kick-off.

Protesters had promised "hell" in the build-up to the match and while some aggressive anti-regime slogans were chanted around the stadium, describing the leaders in Tehran as "terrorists", many attending the match were keen to separate the team from the state they represent.

Motherwell's Just will take all the headlines after his stunning double but there's no doubt Nottingham Forest striker Wood is key to any hope New Zealand might have of progressing out of Group G.

Wood was a physical threat from the word go and Iran couldn't cope.

The 34-year-old one nearly every ball played up to him and his hold up play was exceptional as he grabbed assists for both of Just's goals.