Garbett out of World Cup as Just double earns Iran draw

Garbett out of the World Cup, hours before kickoff

Matthew Garbett is done. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of the entire World Cup, head coach Darren Bazeley confirmed (11). The decision came Saturday, just before New Zealand's opener against Iran. Logan Rogerson replaces him in the squad. "We are devastated for him," Bazeley said (11).

All Whites held 2–2 by Iran in chaotic opener

Your team came within touching distance of that first World Cup win. Iran 2–2 New Zealand in Group G on Monday night, and Elijah Just scored both of your goals (1) (2) (3). Chris Wood set him up each time, two assists that put the All Whites ahead twice (2) (3).

Ramin Rezaeian equalised first for Iran in the 32nd minute (4) (7). Just struck again ten minutes into the second half, but Mohammad Mohebbi answered in the 64th and that was that (4) (7). Mehdi Taremi was kept quiet all night (1).

The game had heat. Iranian players used their post-match press conference to accuse organisers of political mistreatment, one official calling them "the most oppressed team in history" (5). In the stands, Iranian fans clashed with each other, politics spilling into the stadium (6).

New Zealand walk away with a point. Egypt and Scotland are up next in Group G. A win against either, and this draw starts to look good.

Fan reactions

The mood on Reddit was punchy. One thread declared this "game of the tournament so far" with the scoreline still moving at 2–2 in the 68th minute, and the goal clips for Just's second and Rezaeian's equaliser drew heavy traffic (2) (3) (4). The official post-match thread settled on frustration but respect. Most fans agreed a draw was fair, with several pointing out that Wood's link-up play was the best thing New Zealand took from the night. Full thread here.