After months of geopolitical tensions, uncertainty about participation and difficulties in accessing the United States, Iran debuted at the World Cup on North American soil. This Monday (15), the Asian team drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles, in Group G of the competition. By the number of goals scored, Iranians and New Zealanders lead the group, which also includes Belgium and Egypt. The four teams have one point. Earlier this Monday, the Egyptians and Belgians were 1-1 in Seattle. The teams from Asia and Oceania dream of an unprecedented qualification to the second phase of the World Cup. Related news: Belgium and Egypt are 1-1 in the opening of group G of the World Cup. Uruguay starts 1-1 against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of Group H of the World Cup. The Brazilian team reappears and does its first training session to face Haiti. Iran's next match will be against Belgium, again in Los Angeles, at 4pm (Brasília time) on Sunday (20). On the same day, at 10pm, New Zealand will go to Canada to face Egypt in Vancouver. Off-field crisis Since the game against the United States (USA) in the World Cup in France, 28 years ago, a match for the Iranian team has been eagerly awaited. Less because of the quality of the show and more because of the expectations generated because of the war with the Americans. The country hosts the Asian team's three commitments in the group stage of the World Cup. The request for the duels to be transferred to Mexico, which also hosts the competition, was not accepted. Despite the 60-day ceasefire agreement announced on Sunday (14), the conflict had already had enough impact on sport. Iranian players, managers and members of the coaching staff had problems obtaining visas to enter the United States. North American President Donald Trump even said, in March, that the Asian team was "welcome" to the World Cup, but that the country's participation would not be "appropriate". The political crisis may also have impacted the call. Striker Sardar Azmoun, the team's third-highest scorer, was left out of the World Cup, according to the official version, because he missed deadlines for obtaining a visa. In March, he appeared in a photo alongside the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and leader of Shabab Al-Ahli, the club he defends. The problem is that the country is an ally of the United States. The Iranians are concentrated in Tijuana, Mexico. The team was authorized to enter American soil one day before the group stage matches, according to the Department of Homeland Security of the World Cup host country. The team arrived in Los Angeles late on Sunday afternoon and will have to leave the country this Tuesday (16). Additionally, hours before the ball dropped, members of Los Angeles' Persian community gathered in front of the game stage to protest the Iranian government. Although some were also there to support the team, for others the team should be removed from the World Cup and the athletes were colluding with the current regime. The protesters displayed the flag with a lion and a sun in the center, which ceased to be the official flag after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. As it is considered a political symbol, it is usually banned by FIFA, but many fans entered the stadium with it. Busy duel Geopolitical crisis aside, the first half in Los Angeles was very lively, with both teams looking for a goal at all times. There were 16 shots and 28 forced errors - that is, lost balls due to the opponent's defensive actions - throughout the opening 45 minutes. New Zealand, which has nothing to do with the other side's problems, came out ahead. In the sixth minute, Elijah Just tried to score at the edge of the area with fellow midfielder Sarpreet Singh. The ball fell to striker Chris Wood, who controlled it and passed it back to Just to finish, with no chance for goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. The Oceania team, even with an advantage, maintained its offensive posture, also giving Iran space to attack at speed. The first scare for the Asians came in the 22nd minute, with top scorer Medhi Taremi. In an individual move, the attacker carried the ball from midfield and took a risk from the edge of the area, hitting the left post. Ten minutes later, there was almost none. Full-back Ramin Rezaeian dominated on the right wing and sought to connect with midfielder Saman Ghoddos, who returned the ball into the small area. Striker Shahriyar Moghanlou came forward to finish and was stopped by defender Finn Surman, but Rezaian had the remainder and sent it into the net to equalize. The comeback almost came in stoppage time. In the 50th minute, from a free kick by Rezaeian from midfield, defender Ali Nemati headed the ball into the corner of goalkeeper Max Crocombe. The goal, however, was disallowed due to a clear offside by the Iranian defender. The teams returned from the break with the same attitude as in the first half. And, once again, it was New Zealand who found the net. After nine minutes, Just launched a counterattack in the middle, linked up with Wood and took the shot to put the Oceania team back ahead. New Zealand's advantage, again, was short-lived. It was nine minutes between the New Zealand goal and Rezaeian's accurate cross from the right, headed by midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, who saved Crocombe with no chance. As teams made changes, the speed of the game dropped significantly. Both Iran and New Zealand did not give up on the attack, but they were no longer able to have the same quality in preparing their plays. In the end, the draw prevailed.