LOS ANGELES - Iran, ranked 20th in the latest FIFA world rankings, was held to a 2-2 draw by 85th-ranked New Zealand in their World Cup Group G opener on Monday.

Forward Elijah Just scored either side of halftime to put New Zealand ahead twice, but the team was denied its first-ever World Cup victory by Iran's fightback.

In its previous two World Cup finals appearances, New Zealand drew all three group matches in South Africa in 2010 and lost all three in Spain in 1982.

New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley hailed his team's performance as "strong", saying, "Today we show who we are and the football we can play."

"We are so close to making history," he added. "Unfortunately, it is not a win. But we still have chances."

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei spoke highly of the atmosphere in the stadium, particularly the huge crowd of fans supporting his team.

It is the seventh time Iran has qualified for the World Cup finals. Despite previously failing to advance beyond the group stage, Iran has recorded three wins: 2-1 over the United States in 1998, 1-0 over Morocco in 2018, and 2-0 over Wales in 2022.

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Ghalenoei used a 4-4-2 formation with Mehdi Taremi and Shahriyar Moghanloo up front, while Bazeley deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation spearheaded by Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood.

Iran started at a blistering pace, getting forward at every opportunity and putting heavy pressure on New Zealand's defense. But it was New Zealand that took the lead in the seventh minute when Wood expertly chested down a 30-yard goal kick and set up his attacking partner Just to volley home.

Olympiacos striker Taremi almost leveled in the 23rd minute, with his long-range effort ricocheting off the right post.

Iran came close again as New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe was tackled outside his box, only able to watch as a lobbed effort at his open goal went wide.

The equalizer arrived at the 32nd minute when Iran defender Ramin Rezaeian cut inside from the right during a goalmouth scramble and stabbed home a loose ball.

In the first-half injury time, Iran defender Ali Nemati headed in a free kick but was ruled offside.

Just scored his second goal of the match in the 54th minute to put New Zealand ahead again, finishing with an angled shot after another assist from Wood.

But 10 minutes later, Iran midfielder Mohammad Mohebbi was left unmarked to head home at the edge of the six-yard box.

In the 80th minute, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh replaced Taremi, who appeared to suffer an injury.

Ghalenoei said that Taremi would go through a medical check on Tuesday.

Both of Group G's first-round matches ended in draws, with Belgium held 1-1 by Egypt.

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"It is not the day for those higher-ranked teams," Bazeley said.