The All Whites have drawn 1-1 with the highest-ranked team they’ve faced in the last seven years, the USA, thanks to a late goal from Ben Waine that cancelled out a Christian Pulisic opener.

The result sees Darren Bazeley’s side to rebound from their disappointing defeat to Mexico on Sunday, with an impressive performance against the World No. 16 ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next month.

 

From the start, the All Whites brought more intensity, pressing the USA across the pitch and making it difficult for the hosts to break them down.

In the 19th minute, the USA thought they had made a breakthrough when Ricardo Pepi scored into the bottom left corner of Max Crocombe’s net, however, the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Libby Cacace in the build-up.

Cacace had the All Whites' best chance of the first half where, with half time approaching, his own cross rebounded to him, and he fired a powerful shot at Matt Turner in the US goal, but the Crystal Palace keeper made the save.

The second half continued with both teams creating opportunities.

In the 56th minute, Marko Stamenić made a great run and pass to Eli Just, who had only Turner to beat, but the US stopper made a good save, deflecting the ball away. 

The rebound fell to Tim Payne, but he was blocked by the US defence.

On the hour mark, Max Crocombe made two crucial saves: first, he blocked a close-range effort from Folarin Balogun, and then made a brilliant save against Brenden Aaronson.

US talisman Christian Pulisic made a significant impact after his introduction, posing a threat in the final third. 

In the 69th minute it was Pulisic who finally broke the deadlock with a left-footed finish across goal into the bottom corner after some neat interplay between the US forwards.

The All Whites nearly equalized 10 minutes later when substitute Bill Tuiloma flashed a ball across the goal, but none of the New Zealand attackers could quite reach it.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, the All Whites found their equaliser. 

A long ball from Nando Pijnaker targeted Ben Waine, and in an attempt to clear the ball, a US defender inadvertently found Waine, who deflected the shot over Matt Turner to level the score at 1-1, which was how the game ended.

 

The All Whites will next face Tahiti in Vanuatu to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey, aiming to return to the US, Mexico, or Canada in two years’ time.

FT

USA - 1 (69' Christian Pulisic)
All Whites - 1 (89' Ben Waine) 

Article added: Wednesday 11 September 2024