Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood delivered an outstanding performance, scoring twice in two minutes to propel New Zealand to a commanding 8-1 victory over Vanuatu in World Cup qualifying on Friday. The match, played under heavy rain in Hamilton, saw the All Whites dominate their FIFA-ranked 157th opponents.
Wood struck in the 23rd and 24th minutes, starting with a close-range header, followed almost immediately by a stooping finish at the far post, leaving the visitors stunned. His brace helped New Zealand race to a 5-1 lead by halftime.
Despite his brilliant display, the 32-year-old missed out on a first-half hat-trick when his tame shot was saved by Vanuatu goalkeeper Dick Sablan. Tyler Bindon, a Reading defender, also contributed two goals to the first-half onslaught.
Wood, who has scored eight goals in 11 Premier League matches this season for Nottingham Forest, is enjoying a stellar run of form. The striker, who has previously played for Leeds, Newcastle, Burnley, and Leicester, has been instrumental in lifting Forest to fifth in the Premier League standings.
New Zealand, aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, will continue their Oceania qualification campaign, with a decisive third round scheduled in March 2026 on home soil. Wood’s form will be pivotal in their quest to secure a spot in the tournament set to take place in North America.
