Iran and New Zealand, alongside the other six countries who played today, June 15, helped achieve a feat that has not been done at a World Cup since 1956.
With the final match of the day ending in a 2-2 draw, it marks the first time that four World Cup games have ended in a draw on the same day in 68 years.
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Those games where, Cabo Verde vs. Spain (0-0), Belgium vs. Egypt (1-1), Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (1-1) and Iran vs. New Zealand (2-2)
Both squads would get their first shots off before the eight-minute mark.
In the 6′, Iran’s Arya Yousefi would try his luck from 19 yards out, forcing New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe to make the save.
Just a minute later in the 7′, the New Zealanders took their chance on net.
Elijah Just would knock down a bounding ball, firing it home in the air for the first goal of the match.
In the 23′, Mehdi Taremi would take an Iranian offensive drive the length of the field.
And from about 23 yards out, Taremi would send a stinging strike onto net, missing just wide, striking the post.
In the 29′, a series of chaotic events saw Crocombe well off his line. Saman Ghoddos fired a deep strike from 34 yards out.
But because he did not have time to control the ball, it was miss hit, slicing harmlessly out of play.
But the Iranians kept pushing, and their persistence would be rewarded.
A scramble inside the New Zealand box saw the ball squirt away and right into the path of Ramin Rezaeian.
Rezaeian would stab home the loose ball, securing an equalizer for the Iranians.
Following the Rezaeian equalizer, the match would remain relatively quiet as both sides attempted to mount attacks.
It would take 12 minutes for the next shot attempt to be made.
But after New Zealand would receive a foul just outside the box, Chris Wood would make an attempt on the set piece.
But Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand corralled the attempt with no issue.
In the 45+5 minute, a set piece pass found its way into the box where Ali Nemati header into the back of the net.
But moments later the offside flag would go up, nullifying the goal and keeping the game even at one.
And the half would conclude that way, with both sides entering the locker room at one a piece.
The New Zealanders would get off the first shot of the second half with Wood elevating a strike over the crossbar in the 47′.
However, in the 54′, Just would take another crack at goal.
Following a pass from Wood inside the box, Just would secure himself a brace and secure the lead for New Zealand once again.
New Zealand would enjoy that lead for all of 10 minutes.
Rezaeian would send in deep pass into the box, Mohammad Mohebbi timed his run perfectly, meeting the pass in midair and striking home a header to equalize the game once again.
Following the Iran goal, both sides continued to battle for a go-ahead opportunity.
In the 90+2 minute, a floating pass into the box meet Wood in midair.
The New Zealander got a head to it but was not able to put it past Iranian goalkeeper Beiranvand.
A few minutes later Iran would get one last chance with the death fast approaching.
Saeid Ezatolahi would send the corner kick back towards the face of the goal with a header.
But quick-thinking Ryan Thomas would clear the errand ball, ending Iran’s last chance at taking a late lead.
The match would end in a 2-2 draw, meaning that Group G will join Groups B and H as the only groups to have all members level on points.
Iran and New Zealand will both have their next matches on Sunday.
Iran will take on Belgium at 3 p.m.
While New Zealand will face Egypt at 9 p.m.
Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official
