Egypt secured their first-ever victory at the FIFA World Cup with a thrilling 3-1 comeback win over New Zealand in a Group G match played at BC Place in Vancouver on June 21, 2026.
This result ends a long 92-year wait for the Pharaohs, who had never won a single game across their previous eight World Cup appearances since first competing in 1934. The victory not only breaks that historic drought but also gives Egypt a strong position at the top of their group with four points, significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the 2026 tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The game began with New Zealand taking an early lead in the 15th minute when Finn Surman powered home a header from a Tim Payne corner kick, leaving Egypt trailing 1-0 at half-time. However, the Pharaohs came out transformed after the break, showing greater intensity, attacking fluency, and set-piece threat. Mostafa Zico leveled the score in the 58th minute with a powerful header from a Mohamed Salah corner. Just nine minutes later, Salah himself put Egypt ahead, finishing clinically with a low shot after a slick team move. Trezeguet then sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a composed strike, assisted once again by the influential Salah.
Mohamed Salah stood out as the star of the match, earning Man of the Match honors with one goal and two assists. His leadership, including what appeared to be a motivational talk at half-time, helped swing the momentum decisively in Egypt’s favor. This victory also saw Salah become Egypt’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup with three goals. Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet provided crucial support with their goals, while New Zealand’s early promise faded under Egypt’s second-half dominance.
For New Zealand, the defeat was disappointing after a promising start, as the All Whites had hoped to claim their own first World Cup win in the tournament. Despite the resilience shown by players like Chris Wood, they were ultimately outplayed once Egypt found their rhythm.
This milestone result has been celebrated widely as a historic moment for Egyptian football. Fans, pundits, and former players have praised the team’s character and quali