Chris Wood Strikes Twice as New Zealand Dominates Vanuatu 8-1 in World Cup Qualifier

Chris Wood’s red-hot form continued on Friday as he scored twice in quick succession, leading New Zealand to a commanding 8-1 victory over Vanuatu in a World Cup qualifying match. The Nottingham Forest striker’s goals came in the 23rd and 24th minutes, propelling the hosts to a 5-1 halftime lead at the packed stadium in Hamilton, where the rain poured down.

Wood’s first goal came from a close-range header, and moments later, he was on the scoresheet again, this time finishing with a stooping header at the far post, unmarked once more. The 32-year-old, currently in superb form with eight goals in just 11 Premier League appearances, almost bagged a first-half hat-trick, but his low shot was saved by Vanuatu’s goalkeeper, Dick Sablan.

ALSO READ: LeBron James Shatters NBA Record with Historic Triple-Double Streak at Age 39

Defender Tyler Bindon, playing for Reading in England’s third tier, also found the back of the net twice in the first half. With Wood leading the charge, New Zealand’s 8-1 win strengthened their push for World Cup qualification.

The New Zealand national team, aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 2010, will face more challenges as they enter the third round of Oceania qualifying, set to take place in March 2025. The match puts them one step closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup in North America.