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  "path": "/partner/iran-nzl-spain-cape-verde",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-16T06:14:30.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
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  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nIran came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening game at the 2026 World Cup on Monday. European champions Spain were simultaneously frustrated by tournament debutants Cape Verde, who held them to a goalless stalemate in Los Angeles. It was a day of upsets that rattled the early standings.\n\n#### What happened in Iran's World Cup opener against New Zealand?\n\nIran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Group G at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Elijah Just scored twice to put New Zealand ahead on both occasions, but Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi each equalised for Iran. The result gave both sides a share of the points in a dramatic, back-and-forth contest.\n\n#### Why did Iran's coach criticise conditions at the 2026 World Cup?\n\nAfter the final whistle, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei publicly lashed out at the restrictions imposed on his squad since arriving in North America. US authorities refused to grant visas to several members of the Iranian delegation, forcing the team to relocate their training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana in Mexico. Ghalenoei called Iran \"the most oppressed team in the World Cup.\"\n\nThe coach said his squad had been ordered to leave the United States immediately after Monday's game. \"They delayed our arrivals, they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery,\" he said. \"They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best.\"\n\nOutside the stadium, hundreds of protesters gathered before kick-off to demonstrate against Iran's ruling regime. \"This team is not the Iranian people's team, it's the regime's team,\" said Ava Amin, a philosophy student who attended with a banner calling for regime change. FIFA had warned that Iran's pre-revolutionary flag was banned inside the ground under rules forbidding political messaging, though AFP reporters witnessed dozens of fans wearing the flag on T-shirts and displaying it openly.\n\nInside the stadium, the Iranian team received a rousing reception. They were greeted with a roar when they appeared to warm up and enjoyed loud support throughout the match, with no significant protest during the game itself.\n\n#### How did Cape Verde stun Spain in their World Cup debut?\n\nCape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in a result that shocked world football. Spain dominated possession, controlling 74 percent of the ball and laying siege to the Cape Verde goal, yet the 2010 world champions could not break through. The island nation, with a population of just 525,000, are ranked as 2000-1 outsiders to win the tournament by several betting sites.\n\nCape Verde had never previously qualified for the World Cup. Their path to the finals was helped by FIFA's expansion of the tournament to 48 teams. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, was the standout performer for the debutants, keeping a clean sheet against one of Europe's strongest sides.\n\n\"The dream came true,\" Vozinha told reporters. \"We competed against Spain, one of the best teams in the world. We are very happy and proud of all the players and people of Cape Verde.\" Spain coach Luis de la Fuente urged calm after the result, insisting there was no need to panic. \"We are completely calm, convinced that there is a long way to go. As we see it, we have seven games left,\" he said.\n\n#### What were the other results on the opening Monday of the World Cup?\n\nMonday also produced drama in Group G in Seattle, where Egypt took the lead against Belgium through Emam Ashour in the first half. Belgium veteran Romelu Lukaku came off the bench in the second half and made an immediate impact, pressuring Egypt defender Mohamed Hany into an own goal to earn a 1-1 draw.\n\nIn Miami, two-time World Cup winners Uruguay were also held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in Group H. Abdulelah al-Amri put Saudi Arabia ahead on 41 minutes before Maxi Araujo levelled for Uruguay on 80 minutes to rescue a point.",
  "title": "Iran snatch draw in World Cup opener as Spain stunned by Cape Verde"
}