Michael Burgess in Los AngelesSo how exactly do you begin to explain this?It might have been the greatest Fifa World Cup match the All Whites have ever played. It was certainly the best from an attacking point of view, with two unbelievably brilliant goals from midfielder Elijah Just amid some sumptuous attacking play.At times it was the stuff that dreams are made of, the stuff that would have the boys of 1982 and 2010 on their feet and bursting with pride.But equally, this was the one that got away. In a big way. Twice New Zealand had the lead and twice they let it go. Both goals were relatively poor concessions – especially at this level.It meant that the All Whites ended with a 2-2 result against Iran, when it seemed like they were headed for their first ever victory at this level.So while this performance will be celebrated – and it should be – everyone will wonder what might have been. The All Whites had a ticket to the knockout stages in their hands – with three points likely to be enough to go through – before it was ripped away from them. Twice. The defensive lapses will be hard to take, especially given it has traditionally been New Zealand’s strength over the years.But equally – what a performance. The All Whites didn’t shrink from the spotlight and took the game to their higher ranked opponents (world No 22). This will give great confidence for what is to come, though Egypt will be fearsome opposition.It was a truly crazy, breathless game. Both teams attacked with verve and vigour, like something from the 1950s or 1960s, with the usual defensive caution thrown to the wind.Just opened the scoring in the eighth minute, after combining with Singh and Wood before another goal from the heavens in the 55th minute, easily the best World Cup strike from a New Zealander. But unfortunately from an All Whites point of view, Iran managed equalisers midway through both halves.It was, as expected, a surreal atmosphere before the match. There were thousands of Iranian fans streaming into the stadium – almost all expatriates from the United States and Canada and some of them were clashing, with the different political views, while there was a large protest against the regime earlier in the morning.Elijah Just scores the All Whites first goal against Iran at the World Cup. Photo / Getty ImagesBut the pockets of New Zealand support stood out throughout the vast arena, while four fans managed a pre-match haka just above the All Whites dugout. Coach Darren Bazeley went for a predictable lineup – the same XI that started against England last Sunday, with Callum McCowatt coming in for the luckless Matt Garbett, who is heading home with a hamstring injury.In their first match at this level for 16 years, New Zealand made a nervous start. A couple of passes were miscontrolled, while another went over the sideline. But they settled quickly, realising they were getting much more space in midfield than they would have expected. There seemed to be a dizzying amount of action in the first five or so minutes – before the magic moment we will never forget, with Just’s emphatic finish. It was a peach of a goal, a real ‘where were you when’ episode. It came from a neat build-up, as Wood controlled and pivoted in the area, before finding Sarpreet Singh whose flick fell to Just. But still there was work to do, as he shifted from left to right, before striking home. Elijah Just celebrates his goal with team with teammates after scoring the opener against Iran at Los Angeles Stadium. Photo / PhotosportThe New Zealand support erupted – especially the large Flying Kiwis group – as the players celebrated in the far group, when the Iran team looked stunned. That extended to their support, as the “Iran, Iran” chants died down.The All Whites then enjoyed their best period of the match. Singh wriggled free – but skewed his shot wide – after good work by Wood. Minutes later another, as a McCowatt scissor kick from a corner was blocked but fell to Wood. But it was stuck under his feet for a split second, before a defender lunged desperately to block the shot.But Iran were dangerous, in a match swinging end to end. A superb Marko Stamenic cover tackle averted one sticky situation, before Surman was alert in the area to shut down his marker, with penalty appeals waved away. Wood almost produced something from a turn in the area, while Singh got free but shot directly at the keeper.Libby Cacace also burst forward – testing the keeper from a tight angle – though Wood was disappointed not to receive a cut back.The first Iran equaliser was a soft goal at this level. Just failed to track his man, Michael Boxall wasn’t close enough and Joe Bell probably could have shut down the first pass. That hurt, especially given the All Whites’ opportunities, though Iran had been unlucky, with Mehdi Taremi finding the woodwork a few minutes earlier.There was more before the interval. A Wood free kick was too straight, while McCowatt cut inside but couldn’t direct his shot on his left foot.The second half continued in much the same vein, neither side willing or able to shut the game down, with constant transition.Then came more pure Kiwi magic in the 55th minute. If the first goal was good – this was even better. McCowatt and Singh combined to send Just away, who found Wood on the run. The striker then measured his pass superbly, before the angled finish – again on his right foot – past the Iran keeper. This was dreamland stuff. What were we watching?But the All Whites never looked safe, with Max Crocombe nipping in soon afterwards, as Iran threatened. The Iran crowd was coming into it more and more and got their reward in the 65th minute, with Mohammad Mohebi’s header. It was a brilliant cross and he rose well to direct his header in off the post, but another gut punch from a New Zealand point of view, as the striker got between Boxall and Surman far too easy, given defending crosses should be bread and butter for All Whites teams. They looked visibly deflated as they walked back to halfway, though gathered themselves quickly.Ryan Thomas (McCowatt) and Ben Old (Cacace) were introduced before Callan Elliot was sent on late for a tiring Tim Payne. The All Whites had moments – as Wood threatened – then almost stole the ball from keeper Alireza Beiranvand as he ventured dangerously.But chances were at a premium and Iran finished stronger. They kept pushing – in an extremely tense finale – with vital late interventions from Joe Bell and Finn Surman averting what would have been a heartbreaking equaliser.Go all in to unlock every Fifa World Cup 2026 match with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.