Iran vs New Zealand - World Cup RECP: All the reaction as Team Melli snatch a point despite warnings of 'hell' in tournament opener

Iran vs New Zealand - World Cup RECP: All the reaction as Team Melli snatch a point despite warnings of 'hell' in tournament opener - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Updated: Relive Daily Mail Sport's live coverage as Iran opened World Cup campaign against New Zealand in politically-charged game in Los Angeles against a backdrop of tense protests and US conflict. Goodnight For those of you who stayed up into the wee hours for the final whistle in the Group G clash, congratulations and fair play. Sadly brings the World Cup action to an end for today, but don’t fear, there is still plenty to come. Another heavy favorite is set to take center stage on Tuesday with France facing Senegal in New Jersey/New York. But with a tricky challenge in the form of the AFCON finalists, can Le Bleus avoid the same fate as Spain? Meanwhile, the man we’ve all been waiting to see will finally step into the spotlight. Lionel Messi and Argentina will kick off their title defense after a long wait against Algeria in Kansas City. - France v Senegal – Group I - 3pm EST ( 8pm BST) - Iraq v Norway – Group I - 6pm EST (11pm BST) - Argentina v Algeria – 9pm EST ( 2am BST) - Austria v Jordan – 12am EST (5am BST) 'Extremely proud' New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley on All Whites' shot at victory: I am extremely proud of the players and performance. Really good in possession, created a lot. We've come off disappointed not to win. We scored two really good goals and it's going to hurt because we had a chance to make history. I am so proud though. Via BBC Inside Iran's fraught World Cup opener against New Zealand DANIEL MATTHEWS AT LOS ANGELES STADIUM: Shortly after 4pm in Los Angeles , the Iran team bus was led up South Prairie Avenue by an advance party of police motorcycles. It chugged up the hill, past a small group of supporters, before making a right turn toward the gates of ‘hell.’ That is what Amir Ghalenoei and his Iran players had been warned to expect at SoFi Stadium, the $5.5billion spaceship on the outskirts of LA that had been chosen for this fraught, highly-charged World Cup opener against New Zealand. Never before had a World Cup host nation been at war with one of its visitors. Ahead of this game, however, the biggest threat to Iran’s players appeared to be some of their compatriots living nearby. 'We are going to make it hell,’ promised one of the many Iranian-Americans who oppose this team and the brutal regime they say it represents. In the end, though? From the moment they emerged from the tunnel, Iran’s players were greeted by deafening cheers from the majority of fans inside SoFi Stadium. In fact, no one troubled them more than Elijah Just, the New Zealand winger who scored twice as the All Whites upset the odds to secure a 2-2 draw. 'Waves and cheers' NICK PISA IN LOS ANGELES: At the end of the match the New Zealand players went to one end of the ground and clapped their fans while Iranian goalscorer Rezaeian was named player of what was a hugely entertaining match. If there were boos and jeers at the start there were certainly none to be heard at the end as the Iranians went on a lap of appreciation around the stadium and were greeted with waves and cheers. FULL TIME: Iran 2-2 New Zealand A pulsating game in Los Angeles finishes with a point apiece. Elijah Just appeared to have locked up New Zealand's historic victory on the World Cup stage with a stunning brace. But resilient Iran roared back each time with Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi's strikes snatching a point for Team Melli. Iran 2-2 New Zealand We're deep in decisive goal territory. Very Golden Goal-esque. And it looks to have gone New Zealand's way! The last-gasp chance falls to the captain. Chris Wood, with two assists already to his name, has the opportunity to clinch New Zealand's first-ever World Cup win but he can only nod the ball straight at Alireza Beiranvand. FIVE MINUTES ADDED TIME The fourth official has just announced a minimum of five minutes injury time and the volume inside Los Angeles Stadium just hit another decibel. Is that enough for either side to find a crucial winner? In a group with Egypt and Belgium, both Iran and New Zealand need every point they can get. Iran 2-2 New Zealand With just three minutes remaining in the second half, the atmosphere in Los Angeles is electric. The game is becoming increasingly frenetic with both teams still fancying this. A winner for either side would really boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds - especially after Belgium and Egypt's draw earlier today. SUBSTITUTION: Iran 2-2 New Zealand And that is pretty much Payne's last involvement in the game. The veteran makes way for Callan Elliot after putting in a shift against Iran’s attacking pace. OFF: Tim Payne ON: Callan Elliot Iran 2-2 New Zealand Tim Payne controls the danger zone as Mehdi Ghayedi looks to sprint past him and into sight of goal. The New Zealand defender wins the ball before going to ground to earn a free kick. SUBSTITUTION: Iran 2-2 New Zealand New Zealand make their first substitutions just before the hydration break. ON: Ryan Thomas and Ben Old OFF: Callum McCowatt and Liberato Cacace Tehrangeles Fun fact, Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Iranian immigrants and Iranian-Americans in the world outside of Iran itself, numbering between 500,000 and 600,000. As such, the community, deeply rooted in the greater Los Angeles area, spanning Westwood, Beverly Hills, and the San Fernando Valley, has become known as Tehrangeles. So, what better destination for Iran's opening World Cup game. After that equalizer, Tehrangeles is bound to be rocking! 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