Iran opened their politically-charged World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand, but scorer Mohammad Mohebi faced accusations of using a gun celebration after his goal.
Match Summary
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 game to put the All Whites on course for victory before Mohebi headed home just after the hour mark to level things 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 off shots into the air. The celebration was spotted by thousands on social media. Mohebi also made a love heart gesture after that initial incident.
Political Backdrop
Earlier in the contest, Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Iran's World Cup campaign comes amid a backdrop of war since U.S.-Israeli strikes on the country in February, with travel to the US hugely disrupted in recent weeks. Flags and shirts bearing Iran's pre-revolution 'Lion and Sun' emblem were banned from being brought to the stadium, but plenty were in evidence within the venue in the lead-up to kick-off.
More to follow.
