Mohamed Salah scored once and set up another as Egypt fought back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G clash at BC Place Vancouver.
The Pharaohs ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup win, with captain Salah leading the way. Mostafa Zico, Salah and Trezeguet all found the net after the break.
New Zealand took the lead through Finn Surman, who headed home from a corner to raise hopes of the All Whites’ first-ever World Cup victory. But Egypt took control in the second half, scoring three times in 24 minutes.
Egypt drew level in the 58th minute when Zico headed in Mohamed Hany’s cross. Salah then combined with Zico before calmly firing into the bottom corner to put his side ahead.
The Liverpool star later delivered the corner that Trezeguet headed home in the 82nd minute to seal Egypt’s first World Cup win in their fourth appearance at the tournament.
The defeat was New Zealand’s first in five World Cup matches, ending a run of four straight draws. The All Whites can still reach the knockout stage with a result against Belgium in their final group game.
Egypt also need at least a draw against Iran to secure their first-ever place in the knockout rounds.
In Group H, Cape Verde kept their knockout hopes alive with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay.
Kevin Pina scored his country’s first-ever World Cup goal with a long-range free-kick. Uruguay hit back before halftime, with Maxi Araujo equalising from a rebound before Agustin Canobbio finished from close range to make it 2-1.
Helio Varela punished a poor back pass on the hour mark, slotting home the equaliser. Cape Verde then held firm under late pressure to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
