Chris Wood showcased his remarkable talent by scoring a hat-trick, leading New Zealand to an impressive 8-0 victory over Samoa in the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers. This match marked the end of the group stage, where New Zealand decisively positioned themselves as a dominant force in their group.
Facing a Samoan team ranked 186th in the FIFA World Rankings versus New Zealand’s 91st, the match started with the All Whites asserting their dominance. Despite Samoa’s admirable resilience, particularly in defense, they struggled to contain New Zealand’s relentless attacks. Marko Stamenic created several opportunities early on, testing Samoan goalkeeper Pele Fatu with three successive shots in quick succession.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Callum McCowatt capitalized on a saved shot to score his fourth goal for the national team. Wood quickly followed up with his 39th goal, then notched his 40th international goal just before halftime, giving New Zealand a solid 3-0 lead.
After the intermission, New Zealand maintained their momentum, with Wood scoring again to secure his hat-trick. Additional goals from Marco Stamenic, Francis de Vries—who scored his first international goal—Elijah Just, and a late penalty from Ben Waine completed the rout.
Next, New Zealand will face Fiji in the semi-finals scheduled for March, while New Caledonia will square off against Tahiti in the other semi-final.
In summary, this match not only highlighted New Zealand’s attacking prowess but also demonstrated the team’s depth and skill, setting a hopeful tone as they advance to the knockout stages of the qualifiers. This victory can inspire confidence in their upcoming matches as they aim for success in the World Cup.
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