In a remarkable display of skill and sportsmanship, Chris Wood, the Nottingham Forest striker, scored a stunning hat-trick for New Zealand during their World Cup qualifying match against Fiji on March 21, 2025. However, what should have been a moment of celebration turned bizarre when Wood received a yellow card for an unexpected reason—signing autographs.
The 33-year-old made headlines not just for his extraordinary hat-trick but also for an incident that occurred after he was substituted following his third goal in New Zealand's emphatic 7-0 victory over Fiji at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The match saw Wood head in three goals, propelling his team closer to a World Cup spot.
Wood scored his first of the evening barely six minutes into the match after meeting a precise cross from Sarpreet Singh. He then added two more goals in a short span before being substituted, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd of 21,000 fans. While this should have capped off a perfect night, Wood decided to engage further with supporters, heading into the stands to sign autographs and take photos.
It was during this heartfelt interaction that referee Norbert Hauata issued Woody a yellow card. According to FIFA regulations, players are prohibited from entering the stands without permission, and Wood's actions, although innocuous, led to him facing disciplinary action. "If that's the rules, that's the rules. Just doing something nice and trying to sign for the fans," Wood remarked, capturing a mixture of humor and disbelief about the situation.
Coach Darren Bazeley shared a similar sentiment, stating, "I wasn’t sure what happened there... There’s no harm done. It’s a yellow card that doesn’t carry over so he’ll be fine." The coach chose to focus on the positives, reflecting on the team's solid performance in the match.
This match marked Wood's second consecutive hat-trick in World Cup qualifying, coming just off the back of scoring three against Samoa in a dominating 8-0 win last November. His remarkable form continues to shine brighter, having racked up 18 goals in the Premier League this season for Nottingham Forest as they eye Champions League qualification.
Before the match against Fiji, Wood had already demonstrated his scoring prowess in the domestic league, including a standout performance in February against Brighton where he netted another hat-trick. His goal-scoring ability has made him an instrumental figure for both club and country.
Looking ahead, New Zealand is on the cusp of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. They face New Caledonia in the final Oceania qualifying match on March 24, 2025. With Wood at the helm, they will be looking to capitalize on this momentum.
Reflecting on the impending clash, Wood stated, "We know how good New Caledonia are and we're going to have to be ready for them. They've done a very good game this afternoon and we know they're going to cause us problems. We need to focus on doing recovery well now and be ready to go Monday." The All Whites missed out on the last three World Cups, having fallen short in intercontinental playoffs, raising the stakes for this qualification.
As Wood prepares for this crucial encounter, he remains a fan favorite, evidenced by their cheers and support during the match against Fiji. His interactions with the fans highlight the bond he has with his supporters, something he cherishes greatly. "I can't thank the fans enough, they always come in voice and they're always behind the team and myself, it's a pleasure playing in front of them," Wood expressed.
As the buildup to Monday continues, all eyes will be on Chris Wood to see if he can deliver again for New Zealand, steering them towards much-anticipated World Cup glory.
