Who is Elijah Just? Meet the New Zealand standout who scored two World Cup goals vs. Iran

New Zealand lost two leads against Iran in Monday's World Cup match, but the night could have played out much differently if not for the leg of Elijah Just.

Just scored two goals at SoFi Stadium, becoming the first New Zealand player to ever score multiple goals in a World Cup game.

The 26-year-old entered the World Cup with nine career international goals for New Zealand, but none were more meaningful than the two he scored with the chance to take the Group G lead.

Here's more to know about Just after his brace for New Zealand.

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Who is Elijah Just?

Just made his international debut on New Zealand's senior team in late 2019 and now has 11 career goals for the national team, including five in World Cup qualifiers along with the two against Iran on Monday.

Just, who stands at 5-9, has played club soccer professionally since 2016, when he debuted with New Zealand's Western Suburbs FC before taking his career to Europe.

Now playing in Scotland, Just was on the short list for Scottish Premiership's player of the year award this past season.

Where was Elijah Just born?

Just was born on the North Island of New Zealand in Palmerston North. He played youth soccer in the country and started his professional career in New Zealand before heading to Europe to play for FC Helsingor in Denmark in 2019.

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Who does Elijah Just play club soccer for?

Just currently plays for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, the highest level of soccer in Scotland. He joined the club on a two-year contract in 2025 and has seven goals in 35 games with the team. 

Just scored 26 goals in 50 games with Western Suburbs at the start of his professional career, which took him to Eastern Suburbs, FC Helsingor, AC Horsens and finally on loan to SKN St. Polten in Austria before he joined Motherwell.