FIFA World Cup: Egypt end 92-year wait for maiden win as Salah buries New Zealand
Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a historic 3-1 comeback win over New Zealand on Sunday as the Pharaohs ended a 92-year wait for their first FIFA World Cup victory. Goals from Mostafa Ziko, Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet secured the landmark result and sent Egypt to the top of Group G.
For generations, Egypt dreamed of a night like this. Ninety-two years after making their World Cup debut in 1934, the Pharaohs finally secured their first victory at the tournament, coming from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver and move to the top of Group G. Mohamed Salah provided the decisive touch on a night that will rank among the most significant in Egyptian football history.
The Pharaohs, who had gone winless in their previous World Cup appearances, recovered from a first-half deficit through goals from Mostafa Zico, Salah and substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet. The result not only strengthened Egypt's hopes of reaching the knockout stage but also ended a wait that had stretched across generations of players and supporters.
New Zealand vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
After a relatively quiet first half that saw them trail at the break, Egypt raised the intensity in the second period as Salah showed he remains capable of making the difference in key moments.
"It's a great achievement for all the players. It's a great win. It's a great vibe. The next game is very important," Salah said as he took the plaudits among his teammates.
Football occupies a unique place in Egyptian life, and World Cup success had long remained an elusive milestone. Through decades of disappointment, near misses and unfulfilled promise, the dream endured. At BC Place, Egypt finally turned that dream into reality, producing a commanding second-half display after falling behind early in the contest.
The result was about more than three points. It connected different eras of Egyptian football, from the pioneers who represented the country at the 1934 World Cup to the modern generation led by Salah. From Cairo to Alexandria and beyond, supporters had waited decades to witness a moment like this.
The victory leaves Egypt top of Group G with four points from two matches following their opening 1-1 draw with Belgium. They will face Iran in their final group-stage fixture after Iran and Belgium played out a goalless draw earlier in the day.
New Zealand arrived in Vancouver after drawing 2-2 with Iran, while Egypt were buoyed by a spirited performance against Belgium. With the group finely balanced, both teams knew victory would provide a significant advantage heading into the final round of fixtures.
New Zealand's first-half gameplan was as simple as it was effective, kicking long when needed and keeping possession when possible, and defender Finn Surman broke the deadlock from a corner, losing marker Ahmed Fatouh before steering a powerful header into the net.
Though Callum McCowatt had a glancing header tipped over the bar early on for New Zealand, Egypt piled on the pressure after the break and levelled through Mostafa Zico, who headed home Mohamed Hany's cross from the right in the 58th minute.
Salah then gave the crowd what they wanted nine minutes later, breaking forward down the right and playing a one-two with Zico before slotting the ball into the far corner.
Salah almost scored his second in the 81st minute, cutting in from the right and firing a deflected shot over, but he notched an assist from the resulting corner as substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet dived to head home at the near post.
EAR-SPLITTING ROAR GREETS EGYPT VICTORY
The New Zealanders gave everything they had to reduce the deficit and Hossam Abdelmaguid had to be replaced late on with a suspected concussion, his eye swelling up as he left the field.
By the 10th minute of stoppage time, the Egyptian fans were whistling loudly for the referee to end the game.
When he did, an ear-splitting roar went up as Salah and company made history with the country's first World Cup victory and coach Hossam Hassan lapped the stadium with an Egyptian flag.
"My feelings are the same as those of the Egyptian people because I am one of them. I am one of them and I love them - those who came here and those who stayed up back in Egypt watching," Hassan said.
"The stadium felt as if we were in Egypt. The fans made it feel as though we were playing in Egypt, and I told the players, 'We're playing in Egypt.' The stadium was full, like Cairo Stadium."
New Zealand, after twice being pegged back by Iran in their 2-2 draw, again let a lead slip, and this time it proved costly as Salah inspired Egypt's comeback.
"I think we contained them well enough, but they have good enough people in the whole side," New Zealand captain Chris Wood told reporters.
"You can't just focus on one player, and he (Salah) can pop up with a goal at any time and he showed that."
"He's a good player, you have to keep an eye on him, but there's also a lot of other boys in that team that create problems and eventually they scored goals as well."
New Zealand round off the group stage against Belgium in Vancouver, while Egypt will meet Iran in their final game with all to play for in the race for a place in the Round of 32.
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For generations, Egypt dreamed of a night like this. Ninety-two years after making their World Cup debut in 1934, the Pharaohs finally secured their first victory at the tournament, coming from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver and move to the top of Group G. Mohamed Salah provided the decisive touch on a night that will rank among the most significant in Egyptian football history.
The Pharaohs, who had gone winless in their previous World Cup appearances, recovered from a first-half deficit through goals from Mostafa Zico, Salah and substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet. The result not only strengthened Egypt's hopes of reaching the knockout stage but also ended a wait that had stretched across generations of players and supporters.
New Zealand vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
After a relatively quiet first half that saw them trail at the break, Egypt raised the intensity in the second period as Salah showed he remains capable of making the difference in key moments.
"It's a great achievement for all the players. It's a great win. It's a great vibe. The next game is very important," Salah said as he took the plaudits among his teammates.
Football occupies a unique place in Egyptian life, and World Cup success had long remained an elusive milestone. Through decades of disappointment, near misses and unfulfilled promise, the dream endured. At BC Place, Egypt finally turned that dream into reality, producing a commanding second-half display after falling behind early in the contest.
The result was about more than three points. It connected different eras of Egyptian football, from the pioneers who represented the country at the 1934 World Cup to the modern generation led by Salah. From Cairo to Alexandria and beyond, supporters had waited decades to witness a moment like this.
The victory leaves Egypt top of Group G with four points from two matches following their opening 1-1 draw with Belgium. They will face Iran in their final group-stage fixture after Iran and Belgium played out a goalless draw earlier in the day.
New Zealand arrived in Vancouver after drawing 2-2 with Iran, while Egypt were buoyed by a spirited performance against Belgium. With the group finely balanced, both teams knew victory would provide a significant advantage heading into the final round of fixtures.
New Zealand's first-half gameplan was as simple as it was effective, kicking long when needed and keeping possession when possible, and defender Finn Surman broke the deadlock from a corner, losing marker Ahmed Fatouh before steering a powerful header into the net.
Though Callum McCowatt had a glancing header tipped over the bar early on for New Zealand, Egypt piled on the pressure after the break and levelled through Mostafa Zico, who headed home Mohamed Hany's cross from the right in the 58th minute.
Salah then gave the crowd what they wanted nine minutes later, breaking forward down the right and playing a one-two with Zico before slotting the ball into the far corner.
Salah almost scored his second in the 81st minute, cutting in from the right and firing a deflected shot over, but he notched an assist from the resulting corner as substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet dived to head home at the near post.
EAR-SPLITTING ROAR GREETS EGYPT VICTORY
The New Zealanders gave everything they had to reduce the deficit and Hossam Abdelmaguid had to be replaced late on with a suspected concussion, his eye swelling up as he left the field.
By the 10th minute of stoppage time, the Egyptian fans were whistling loudly for the referee to end the game.
When he did, an ear-splitting roar went up as Salah and company made history with the country's first World Cup victory and coach Hossam Hassan lapped the stadium with an Egyptian flag.
"My feelings are the same as those of the Egyptian people because I am one of them. I am one of them and I love them - those who came here and those who stayed up back in Egypt watching," Hassan said.
"The stadium felt as if we were in Egypt. The fans made it feel as though we were playing in Egypt, and I told the players, 'We're playing in Egypt.' The stadium was full, like Cairo Stadium."
New Zealand, after twice being pegged back by Iran in their 2-2 draw, again let a lead slip, and this time it proved costly as Salah inspired Egypt's comeback.
"I think we contained them well enough, but they have good enough people in the whole side," New Zealand captain Chris Wood told reporters.
"You can't just focus on one player, and he (Salah) can pop up with a goal at any time and he showed that."
"He's a good player, you have to keep an eye on him, but there's also a lot of other boys in that team that create problems and eventually they scored goals as well."
New Zealand round off the group stage against Belgium in Vancouver, while Egypt will meet Iran in their final game with all to play for in the race for a place in the Round of 32.
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