New Zealand Battle Iran in Enthralling World Cup Opener: 5 Takeaways

I’m certainly not suggesting the Iranian coaching staff didn’t do their homework on New Zealand, but the amount of space their defenders gave Chris Wood, certainly in the opening proceedings, was astounding.

It was Wood who started the move for Just’s lovely goal, carefully controlling the ball on his chest and swivelling, seemingly with all the time in the world, before linking up neatly with his teammates.

His brute strength and years of experience stood out throughout, and it was a reminder of just how incredible he’s been for the All Whites.

Wood has been the team’s talismanic focal point for a long, long time now — replacing him, when he finally calls it a day with his country (he turns 35 this year), will be a near-impossible task.

For any scouts watching New Zealand’s opening game, Elijah Just’s performance was a reminder of the importance of checking smaller leagues for undiscovered talent.

After two seasons in the Danish second division with AC Horsens, the diminutive winger spent the 2024/2025 season on loan at SKN St. Pölten, again in a second division, this time in Austria.

His career transformed when he joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell last season, becoming a pivotal part of Jens Berthel Askou’s swashbuckling attacking side, who played Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers off the park on multiple occasions. 

If Just wasn’t guaranteed a big move after his sterling league season, he is now.

Such a finely balanced attacker on the ball, he looked so assured on the biggest stage today, linking up with Wood as if they’d played together for years.

His first goal was a slammed volley, and his second was even better, finishing from a tight angle after more excellent link-up play with Wood.

The boy from Palmerston North is still only 26 — a top-half English Championship club should be making a move for him in the transfer window.

As we’ve discussed, the All Whites were adventurous and skilful in attack, particularly the potent combination of Just and the towering Wood.

At the other end, though? It was a different story.

Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe looked unnerved by the occasion, flapping at several crosses and almost getting caught out by an Iranian tackle in the first half.

The back four tried its best in front of him, but the directness of the Iran attack often got the better of them. Michael Boxall has been a wonderful servant to New Zealand, but the centre-back never looked comfortable bringing the ball out from the back, and he got caught out badly for Iran’s opening goal.

The partisan crowd certainly didn’t help the defence’s nerves, but more composure from all five players will be needed against Belgium and Egypt.

Much has been made about the perceived decline of football in the past 12 months, particularly in the English Premier League, with Arsenal being derided for being ‘dull’.

New Zealand and Iran, however, reminded us all of just how bloody fun football can be.

Aided by a referee who didn’t mind keeping his whistle in his pocket, the pace of the game was absolutely relentless, both teams taking turns to attack in excitable and bold fashion.

The game was incredibly stretched from the opening exchanges, with both defences getting caught out on several occasions. As the game reached its conclusion, no players wanted to calm down, either, with both teams continuing to attack until the final minutes.

It was end-to-end action in Los Angeles. Will the All Whites be able to maintain such a pace in their remaining two group fames?