Egypt rallied from a goal conceded at halftime to turn the game around and strengthen their momentum to advance to the finals.
Published June 22, 2026
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the tournament as part of a second-half flurry to give Egypt their first World Cup win 3-1 in Vancouver.
Salah and Mostafa Zico each had a goal and an assist as Egypt bounced back from a 1-0 deficit in the first half to take first place in Group G on Sunday. Trezeguet scored Egypt’s third goal in the closing stages as insurance money.
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Salah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist in the 67th minute before being jostled by his teammates, much to the delight of red-clad Pharaohs fans at a packed BC Place in Vancouver.
When Salah was substituted in the 85th minute, he was greeted with a standing ovation.
The first three matches in Group G ended in draws with Belgium and Iran playing out a goalless tie in the early hours of Sunday, leaving the group with a chance of winning. New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) thought they were on their way after leading for nearly half the game, taking the lead with Finn Surman’s header from a set-piece in the 15th minute.
Egypt finished the group stage against Iran on Friday and are almost certain to advance to the final round regardless of the result. New Zealand, aiming for their first World Cup victory, will play Belgium on the same day with the aim of advancing to the final.
Mostafa Shbir made four saves for Egypt, while Max Crocombe made four saves for New Zealand.
Elijah Just fired a powerful shot on target and Shabir sent the ball wide, giving New Zealand a winning corner kick.
Tim Paine’s next segment found Thurman in space. Thurman’s jumping header sailed past a helpless Schubil to give the All Whites the lead.
Egypt got their hopes up in the 35th minute with a free-kick from the edge of the box after Callum McCowatt received a yellow card for a poor tackle. A teammate laid the ball off to Salah, but his shot on goal went wide of the left side of the frame.
Egypt took control in the second half and had many chances, but Salah forced a save from Crocombe less than 40 seconds into the match.
However, Pharaoh finally broke through in the 58th minute. Mohamed Hany delivered a perfect cross to Zico, and his header near the six-yard line hit Crocombe’s glove on the way.
Salah’s turn came nine minutes later. Zico connected with Salah on the right side in a transition play. He dribbled his way into the box and passed to Zico, who backheeled the ball into a pocket of space where Salah curled a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
Trezeguet wrapped up the match in the 82nd minute with another header from a corner kick. Salah fired a low shot and Trezeguet’s diving header went free. It was Trezeguet’s 24th career international goal and his first at a World Cup.
“This was one of the great achievements in history that will not be forgotten in the coming years,” Salah said.
He praised the large Egyptian squad in the crowd, saying, “It feels like we’re playing in Egypt. It’s a great win and a great atmosphere.”
