Egypt’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after the Group G match in Fifa World Cup 2026 between New Zealand and Egypt in BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on June 21, 2026. — Reuters
Mohamed Salah impressed Egypt to their first-ever World Cup win as they got here from a aim right down to beat New Zealand 3-1 with an excellent second-half show on Sunday, transferring high of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
After a comparatively quiet first half that noticed them go in behind on the break, Egypt and Salah turned up the warmth within the second interval because the 34-year-old winger confirmed he’s nonetheless able to conjuring magic from his boots.
“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 mentioned as he took the plaudits amongst his teammates.
Egypt, who drew 1-1 with Belgium of their opener, moved high of the group with 4 factors from two matches. The All Whites, held 2-2 by Iran of their opener, are backside with one level. Belgium and the Iranians have two factors after their 0-0 draw.
New Zealand’s first-half gameplan was so simple as it was efficient, kicking lengthy after they wanted to and retaining possession after they may, and defender Finn Surman broke the impasse from a nook, dropping marker Ahmed Fatouh earlier than steering a robust header into the web.
Although Callum McCowatt had a glancing header tipped over the bar early on for New Zealand, Egypt piled on the strain after the break they usually levelled by means of Mostafa Zico, who headed residence Mohamed Hany’s cross from the fitting within the 58th minute.
Salah then lastly gave the group what they wished 9 minutes later, breaking ahead down the fitting and enjoying a one-two with Zico earlier than slotting the ball into the far nook.
Salah virtually scored his second within the 81st minute, reducing in from the fitting and firing a deflected shot over, however he notched an help from the ensuing nook as substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet dived to move residence on the close to put up.
Ear-splitting roar greets Egypt victory
The New Zealanders gave all of it they needed to cut back the deficit and Hossam Abdelmaguid had to get replaced late on with a suspected concussion, his eye swelling up as he left the sphere.
By the tenth minute of stoppage time, the Egyptian followers had been whistling loudly for the referee to finish the sport.
When he did, an ear-splitting roar went up as Salah and firm made historical past with the nation’s first World Cup win 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 mentioned.
“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 again by Iran of their 2-2 draw, once more let a lead slip, and this time it proved extra pricey as Salah labored his magic.
“I think we contained them well enough, but they have good enough people in the whole side,” New Zealand captain Chris Wooden instructed 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 spherical off the group stage towards Belgium in Vancouver, whereas Egypt will meet Iran of their last sport with all to play for within the race for a spot within the Spherical of 32.
