World Cup 2026: Egypt Comeback Stuns New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver

Ziko & Salah power Egypt past New Zealand for historic wc victory

Egypt vs New Zealand: After falling behind to Finn Surman’s header, Egypt improved in the second half. Goals from Mostafa Ziko x2 and Salah completed the turnaround as Egypt closed in on knockout stage qualification.

World Cup Group Stage: Egypt seal maiden WC win with Trezeguet late header...

Mohamed Salah was on the scoresheet as Egypt came from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver. The win gave the Pharaohs their first ever World Cup victory and put them on the brink of reaching the Round of 32.

New Zealand started fast and had the first real chance in the 7th minute. Liberato Cacace cut the ball back to Sarpreet Singh, but his shot from just outside the box drifted wide of the right post.

The All Whites looked sharp early on. An incisive move played Marko Stamenic in behind, and he slipped Elijah Just free inside the box. But Just’s shot at the near post was stopped well by Mostafa Shobeir.

From the corner that followed, Tim Payne whipped it in and Finn Surman climbed highest. The defender powered a header home to give New Zealand a deserved lead.

Egypt looked stunned after going behind and knew they had to respond fast, both on the scoreboard and in their overall play.

The Pharaohs grew into the game as the half went on. Omar Marmoush forced a save from Max Crocombe with a shot from just outside the box, then Mohamed Salah curled a free-kick from a similar spot just wide of the left post.

New Zealand nearly made it 2-0 seven minutes after halftime. Callum McCowatt got his head to a cross and directed it toward goal, but Shobeir leapt to tip it over the bar.

Egypt looked like a different team after the break. Whatever was said in the dressing room worked - the Pharaohs came out with more urgency and played at a much higher tempo in the second half.

Egypt’s improved play paid off just before the hour mark. Mohamed Hany floated a cross into the box and Mostafa Ziko met it with a close-range header that beat Crocombe’s outstretched left hand for the equalizer.

With the momentum fully behind them, the Pharaohs struck again less than 10 minutes later. Ziko played a quick one-two with Salah inside the area, and the former Liverpool star finished to complete the comeback.

The seven-time African champions were a different side after halftime, and they wrapped up their first ever World Cup win with 8 minutes left. Substitute Trezeguet rose to head home from Salah’s corner and seal it.

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That result stretched Egypt’s unbeaten run against New Zealand to four games and all but booked their spot in the Round of 32. The Pharaohs finish the group against Iran, while New Zealand must beat Belgium to advance. The All Whites, FIFA’s lowest-ranked team, have now won just once in their last 13 World Cup matches.