Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood showcased his impressive form by scoring two quick goals in New Zealand’s commanding 8-1 win over Vanuatu during World Cup qualifying on Friday in Hamilton.
Playing in heavy rain, Wood found the net in the 23rd and 24th minutes, helping his team establish a commanding 5-1 lead by halftime against a Vanuatu side ranked 157th by FIFA. His first goal came from a close-range header, and just moments later, he capitalized on a defensive lapse to score again with a stooping effort at the far post.
The 32-year-old forward, who has netted eight goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season, nearly completed a first-half hat trick, but his weak shot was saved by Vanuatu’s goalkeeper, Dick Sablan.
Adding to the scoring, Tyler Bindon, a defender playing for Reading in England’s third tier, also netted two goals in the first half.
Wood, who has played for clubs including Leeds, Newcastle, Burnley, and Leicester, is enjoying a prolific spell that has propelled Nottingham Forest to fifth place in the Premier League standings. New Zealand is striving to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010, with the Oceania qualifying tournament for the 2026 event in North America set to conclude in a third round in New Zealand this March.
