Elijah Just stuns the world with a historic World Cup brace for New Zealand
New Zealand striker Elijah Just made history against Iran at the 2026 World Cup, scoring twice in a thrilling match that ended level after a little more than an hour of play. What had looked on paper like a quiet game with a louder political backdrop instead became an open, high-quality contest.
The teams were tied 2-2 after more than 60 minutes, with New Zealand impressing far more than expected. The All Whites moved the ball well, escaped Iran's pressure, and finished two excellent attacks through Just, who completed both moves after assists from Chris Wood.
Just's performance was notable not only for the goals themselves but for the record he set. He became the first player in New Zealand history to score a brace in a World Cup match.
His two goals also account for one third of all the goals New Zealand have ever scored in World Cup history, in what is the team's third World Cup campaign so far.
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