New Delhi: Chris Wood showcased his aerial prowess with a remarkable hat-trick of headers as New Zealand took a significant step toward World Cup qualification, delivering a dominant 7-0 victory over Fiji on Friday.
All Whites are set to face 152nd-ranked New Caledonia in Auckland on Monday as they are on the brink of booking a third World Cup berth. Wood was subbed off after sealing his treble with under 30 minutes left. He spent several minutes with fans and a smiling captain was booked for going into the crowd to sign autographs for fans.
Chris Wood was booked for going into the crowd to sign autographs for fans during New Zealand’s 7-0 win over Fiji 😅
He’d already scored a hat-trick of headers before being subbed off. pic.twitter.com/AfW5ZFW7x6
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 21, 2025
After the match, he defined the moment by saying, “If that’s the rules, that’s the rules. Just doing something nice and trying to sign for the fans.” Even in the Premier League, he has hit 18 goals to fire The Tricky Trees into the Champions League places.
New Zealand is currently 89th in the FIFA rankings and red-hit are favourites to reach the World Cup 2026 after appearances in 1982 and 2010. They have never won a match in six attempts and will aim to change the same.
At the age of 33, Chris Wood is enjoying the best season of his career and scored just six minutes into the game to get New Zealand on board. The Forest forward repeated the trick in the 56th and 60th minutes to complete his hat-trick. With that, he has netted 44 goals in 81 goals for his country.
O captain my captain 👨✈️ pic.twitter.com/ttRctt4jRE
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) March 21, 2025
Their next opponent, New Caledonia, secured a 3-0 victory over fellow minnows Tahiti in the first semi-final of Oceania qualifying, scoring three times in the second half. With the next World Cup expanded to 48 teams, the winner of the qualifying round will earn direct entry.
Chris Wood scored a hat-trick of headers as New Zealand demolished Fiji 7-0, moving a step closer to World Cup 2026. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
