Iran and New Zealand played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in Los Angeles in what was arguably the most politically charged match in World Cup history.
Goals from Mohammad Mohebbi and Ramin Rezaeian canceled out a brace from New Zealand's Eli Just.
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Political Tensions Overshadow the Match
The game took place against a backdrop of intense political turmoil.
Eleven Iranian officials were refused entry to the United States, forcing the team to relocate their base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
Their training schedule was disrupted.
Outside the stadium, protesters carried pre-revolutionary Iranian flags and sold merchandise with the sun and lion emblem.
A FIFA ban on such flags was upheld by a judge, but many fans brought them inside unchallenged.
Iran's sports minister had warned that players would abandon the match if they heard political slogans. However, inside the stadium, support for Iran was overwhelmingly positive.
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Match Action
New Zealand took an early lead in the seventh minute when Just juggled the ball in the box and fired past Alireza Beiranvand.
The move started from a long kick by goalkeeper Max Crocombe, with Chris Wood controlling and combining with Just.
Iran equalized when Rezaeian poked in after a delightful pass from Saman Ghoddos.
Just restored New Zealand's lead ten minutes into the second half, coolly dinking the ball over Beiranvand after another combination with Wood.
Iran leveled again nine minutes later when Mohebbi headed in unmarked between defenders. His celebration seemed to say, "How about that?"
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The feeling was shared at the final whistle.
