World Cup 2026: New Zealand 1-3 Egypt - Mohamed Salah inspires Pharoahs to historic first win in Vancouver
Mohamed Salah scored one goal and assisted another as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 and record their first-ever World Cup win.
The Pharoahs had not won during 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, particularly after Finn Surman powered in the opener after questionable marking from a corner.
Salah's most significant contribution of the first half was to plant a free-kick the wrong side of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.
But seemingly after a stern talking-to from head coach Hossam Hassan at the break, the performance from the former Liverpool man and his colleagues improved significantly after it.
Suddenly, their attacks carried menace, forcing New Zealand to sit deeper and deeper - and just before the hour, in a similar position to Surman, the unmarked Mostafa Zico headed in Mohamed Hany's cross.
Within 10 minutes of the equaliser, after a rapid break, Salah came alive when he traded passes with Zico, then swept home - in the trademark fashion he did so often in the Premier League - to give Egypt the lead for the first time in Vancouver.
Group G guide in full
World Cup day-by-day schedule
World Cup news and live updates
World Cup tables
And it was he who delivered the corner from the left that found substitute Trezeguet, who dived to head past Max Crocombe to put the icing on the cake and put the knockout stages within touching distance.
Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.
- Last
- June, 23
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
News by day
24 of June 2026
