Egypt ended a 92-year wait for their first ever FIFA World Cup victory on Sunday, as Mohamed Salah inspired a magnificent second-half comeback to defeat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver and stake a serious claim for a place in the knockout stage.
The Pharaohs had not won across appearances at the 1934, 1990 or 2018 editions of the tournament, and based on a somewhat insipid first-half performance it looked as though that long run would continue.
Finn Surman gave New Zealand a deserved lead in the 15th minute, powering a flying header from a corner kick delivered by Tim Payne past Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir. The All Whites carried a threat throughout the opening period, with Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just both troubling Egypt before the opener. Salah’s most meaningful contribution of the first half was to plant a free-kick wide of the left post.
Egypt emerged from the interval transformed. Two goals in eight minutes either side of the hour turned the match on its head. Mostafa Zico tucked away a close-range header in the 58th minute before turning provider, playing Salah into space to take the goal that put Egypt ahead for the first time — his 68th international goal, celebrated with a pumped fist as teammates mobbed him in front of a packed house of red-clad Egyptian fans.
The 34-year-old became the oldest goalscorer for Egypt at a World Cup with the strike, and later also became the oldest African player on record to both score and assist a goal at a World Cup in a single match. Salah has now either scored or assisted in every World Cup game he has featured in — netting twice against Russia and Saudi Arabia in 2018, and contributing directly to both goals against Belgium and New Zealand in 2026.
Trezeguet sealed the win with a diving header less than ten minutes from time, before goalkeeper Stefan Crocombe produced a vital late block to deny substitute Zizo a fourth and deny Egypt an even more emphatic scoreline.
Egypt moved to the top of Group G with the win, but are not yet assured of a place in the knockout round. The Pharaohs face Iran in Seattle in their final group fixture, needing at least a draw to advance.
For New Zealand, the defeat leaves their campaign hanging by a thread. The All Whites drew all three of their matches at their only previous World Cup in 2010, but were unable to replicate that resilience against the Pharaohs. They face Belgium in Vancouver in their final group game.
