Under the blazing Inglewood sun at SoFi Stadium, Iran delivered a composed and professional Group G victory over a resolute but outclassed New Zealand side, winning 2-0 in front of a passionate crowd swelled by the Iranian diaspora.

**First Half — Taremi breaks the deadlock (23')** Iran controlled the tempo from the first whistle, with Saeid Ezatolahi anchoring the midfield and allowing Saman Ghoddos and Mohammad Mohebi to push forward. New Zealand's 4-4-2 mid-block held firm for the opening quarter-hour, Chris Wood pressing high to disrupt Iran's build-up but finding little support. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute: Alireza Jahanbakhsh received the ball wide on the left, skipped past Tim Payne with a sharp inside cut, and slid a perfectly weighted through-ball into the penalty area for Mehdi Taremi. The Olympiacos striker took one touch to set himself and drilled a low finish past Max Crocombe at the near post — a goal of real Premier League-quality pedigree. New Zealand responded with physicality; Michael Boxall earned a yellow card in the 34th minute for a cynical foul on Taremi as he threatened to break again.

**Second Half — Alipour heads home (71')** Iran emerged from the break with the same intent. Ezatolahi was cautioned in the 55th minute for a late challenge on Joe Bell, who himself was booked twelve minutes later for retaliating with an elbow on Mohebi. The All Whites' best moment came around the hour mark when Sarpreet Singh drove forward and played in Elijah Just, whose low shot was palmed away comfortably by Alireza Beiranvand. Iran doubled their lead in the 71st minute through a set-piece routine: Milad Mohammadi whipped in a precise left-footed cross from the left flank, and Ali Alipour rose highest at the back post to power a header beyond Crocombe. New Zealand pushed bodies forward in desperation, and Marko Stamenić was booked for a frustrated foul in the 82nd minute as Iran comfortably saw out the game. Iran's 2-0 win is a statement of intent in Group G.