Salah Ends Egypt’s 92-Year Wait With Stunning Comeback Win Over New Zealand

Ninety-two years and eight matches without a single World Cup win — and Mohamed Salah ended that drought in barely twenty second-half minutes. Egypt fell behind early to a Finn Surman header but roared back through Mostafa Zico, a moment of magic from Salah himself, and a late Trezeguet diving header to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place, Vancouver, claiming their first-ever World Cup victory and seizing top spot in Group G.

New Zealand vs Egypt 1-3 Highlights — World Cup 2026 Group G

For 58 minutes, this looked like it might be New Zealand’s night. By the final whistle, it was unmistakably Egypt’s — and unmistakably Mohamed Salah’s.

Match Summary:

New Zealand’s Early Lead — Surman’s Header Stuns the Pharaohs

New Zealand started with real intent, and the breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Tim Payne’s corner from the left was met by centre-back Finn Surman, who powered a flying header beyond Mostafa Shobeir. The All Whites controlled the tempo for long stretches afterwards, with Chris Wood and Sarpreet Singh causing problems up top, while Egypt looked short of ideas — Salah himself failed to get any real power behind a prodded effort either side of halftime.

Mohamed Salah Goal vs New Zealand — The Turning Point

Egypt emerged in the second half as a different team. Less than 40 seconds in, Salah was already pressuring Crocombe into a save, and the warning signs proved accurate. In the 58th minute, Mohamed Hany whipped in a perfect cross for Mostafa Zico, whose header squeezed past Crocombe’s glove to level the score.

Nine minutes later came the moment this match will be remembered for. Zico and Salah combined on a slick transition — Salah drove into the box, slipped a pass to Zico, who back-heeled it straight into space for Salah to finish coolly into the bottom-left corner. It was Salah’s 68th international goal, and the Pharaohs fans inside a sellout BC Place erupted.

📺 Watch the full match highlights: New Zealand vs Egypt 1-3 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Highlights

Trezeguet Seals It — Egypt’s First-Ever World Cup Win

Egypt weren’t finished. In the 82nd minute, Salah himself swung in an outswinging corner from the left, and substitute Trezeguet powered home a diving header to make it 3-1 — becoming the first Egyptian to score off the bench at a World Cup. Crocombe denied substitute Zizo a fourth deep into stoppage time, but the result was already long settled. When Salah was withdrawn in the 85th minute, he left to a standing ovation.

Records Broken — Egypt’s Historic Night in Vancouver

This was Egypt’s first World Cup win in their fourth tournament appearance, after previous trips in 1934, 1990, and 2018 all ended without a victory. Salah finished as the most influential player on the pitch — five shots, five chances created, 13 touches in the box — and at 34 years and 7 days old, became the oldest Egyptian to score in World Cup history. He’s also now the nation’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with three goals.

Group G Outlook: Egypt Top, New Zealand’s Fate Still Alive

The win lifts Egypt to the top of Group G, needing just a draw against Iran in their finale to guarantee a top-two finish. New Zealand, who remain winless in eight World Cup matches (D4 L4), aren’t out of it yet — a win over Belgium in their final group game could still send them through, with Belgium stuck on two draws from two games.

For full FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G results, Egypt and New Zealand match updates, and live coverage, visit fawanewss.co.uk. Full fixtures, group standings and squads at the official FIFA website.