Chris Wood led New Zealand to a commanding 3-0 victory over Tahiti in the opening match of Group B at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers held in Port Vila.
Returning to the VFF Freshwater Stadium for the first time since winning the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in June, Darren Bazeley’s team picked up right where they left off nearly four months ago.
The All Whites wasted no time, scoring just two minutes into the match when Elijah Just launched a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Wood, who recently scored for Nottingham Forest against Chelsea in the English Premier League, extended New Zealand’s lead in the 68th minute. Unmarked at the far post during a corner, he expertly headed the ball into the corner of the net for his 35th international goal.
The two-goal advantage allowed Bazeley to introduce substitutes Kostas Barbarouses and Storm Roux.
Ben Waine capped off the performance with a third goal in the 89th minute, ensuring New Zealand walked away with a comprehensive victory and all three points.