Iran saves a point in World Cup premiere

Iran salvaged a 2-2 draw in their World Cup debut against New Zealand, a match marked by the presence of forbidden flags and protests against the Iranian regime. Despite taking the lead twice, New Zealand could not hold on for a victory.

Elijah Henry Just opened the scoring for New Zealand early in the game, and later put them ahead again in the second half. However, Iran managed to equalize on both occasions. Mohammad Mohebi scored the second equalizer for Iran, heading in a cross.

Outside the stadium in Los Angeles, hundreds protested against Iran's government. Chants and displays of flags used before the 1979 revolution underscored the political tensions surrounding the team's participation. One protester, philosophy student Ava Amin, stated, "This team is not the Iranian people's team, it is the regime's law."

The International Football Federation (Fifa) had previously banned the pre-revolution flag from being brought into the stands, adding another layer of controversy to the match. The political climate surrounding the war involving Iran and the United States, one of the World Cup hosts, also cast a shadow over the event.

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This team is not the Iranian people's team, it is the regime's law.