Iran rallied twice from a goal down to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday in a World Cup match played against the backdrop of anti-government protests and a tentative agreement aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran conflict.
New Zealand struck first when Elijah Just volleyed home from close range after being picked out by captain Chris Wood.
The opener sparked celebrations among some supporters opposed to Iran's government, many of whom waved the country's pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag. Others jeered Iran's national anthem before kickoff.
Yet the majority of the crowd, which topped 70,000, appeared to back Team Melli, repeatedly chanting "Ir-ran! Ir-ran!" and roaring in celebration when Ramin Rezaeian leveled the score shortly after the half-hour mark.
Rezaeian, one of several Iran players who had not played club football since February after the domestic league was suspended amid U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, reacted quickest to a shot blocked by a defender and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
