Former PSV player makes debut with draw at World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is already underway and the necessary (former) PSV players are also well represented at the tournament in North America. Last night, New Zealand made its first appearance at the global finals since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Kiwis played in Los Angeles against Iran at 3 a.m. Dutch time and started strongly to the match. Via Elijah Just, the New Zealanders went 0-1 up in the seventh minute.

A few minutes later, striker and captain Chris Wood had the chance to make it 0-2, but the forward saw that the ball was just in time for his feet to be cleared away by an Iranian defender. In the 32nd minute, Iran pulled level through Ramin Rezaeian.

Just before halftime, a second Iranian strike was correctly disallowed for offside, and both teams went into the break at 1-1. In the 54th minute, New Zealand, after a smoothly flowing attack, went back into the lead again via Elijah Just for a second time.

Ten minutes later it was level again via Mohammad Mohebi. In the 68th minute, midfielder and former PSV player Ryan Thomas came on for Callum McCowatt. After the 2-2, the Oceanian side no longer really managed to create any major chances and as a result both teams had to be satisfied with a point.