Iran opened their politically-charged World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand, but striker Mohammad Mohebi faced accusations of using a gun celebration after scoring his team's equaliser.
Match Overview
New Zealand took the lead through Elijah Just in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Iran found an equaliser shortly after the game's first hydration break through Ramin Rezaeian. Motherwell star Just scored his second of the match to put the All Whites on course for victory before Mohebi headed home just after the hour mark to level the scores again.
Controversial Celebration
Mohebi, a winger for Russian club FC Rostov, ran off to celebrate before appearing to imitate a gun with his right hand, pretending to fire shots into the air. The celebration was widely spotted on social media, drawing criticism. Mohebi also made a love heart gesture after the initial incident.
Political Context
Earlier in the contest, Iran's national anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Iran's World Cup campaign unfolds against a backdrop of war following U.S.-Israeli strikes on the country in February, with travel to the US significantly disrupted in recent weeks. Flags and shirts bearing Iran's pre-revolution 'Lion and Sun' emblem were banned from the stadium, but many were visible inside the venue before kick-off.
More to follow.
