• A masterclass from Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand, catapulting the Pharaohs to the summit of Group G.

2026 World Cup

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Match Highlight:

https://www.fifa.com/en/watch/30AjAOgeWPeCcjnTx6hdH0

Match Report:

The Pharaohs captain scored and assisted at BC Place Vancouver, moving Egypt to the top of Group G and putting them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Egypt had to come from behind to record their historic win after New Zealand defender Finn Surman headed the All Whites ahead in the 15th minute from Tim Payne's corner.

Nevertheless, Egypt constantly threatened an equaliser and went close either side of the half-time whistle, with Emam Ashour first poking wide before Salah failed to get any power behind his prodded effort.

Egypt eventually reaped their rewards in the 58th minute as Mostafa Zico's header proved to be too powerful for Max Crocombe to keep out, and the Pharaohs did not look back after levelling.

They were soon ahead as a quick counter saw Salah play a give-and-go with Zico before he curled past the New Zealand goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner.

Substitute Trezeguet then wrapped up victory for Egypt in the 82nd minute, scoring at the near post from Salah's corner, while Zizo squandered a golden opportunity to add a fourth in stoppage time after rounding Crocombe but still seeing his attempt saved.

Mo Salah – the Egyptian king

It was a deserved victory for Egypt, who produced 1.96 expected goals (xG) from 19 shots to New Zealand's 1.47 from 12 attempts, and it was Salah who made the all-important impact.

Salah recorded the most shots (five), touches in the box (13) and created the most chances (five) of any player, as both he and Zico became the first Egyptians to score and assist in a World Cup match.

Salah is also the first player to score at multiple World Cups for Egypt, while he is now the nation's outright top scorer in the competition with three goals, surpassing Abdel Fawzi's two.

This is the first time Egypt have scored three goals in a World Cup match, a feat achieved after Trezeguet became the first Egyptian to score off the bench in the competition.

A draw against Iran in their final group game will be enough for Egypt to secure a top-two finish, while all hope is not lost for New Zealand.

After Belgium and Iran drew earlier on Sunday, New Zealand could still reach the knockout rounds if they defeat Belgium in their final Group G clash.

Match Events:

15' Goal! Finn Surman scores with a header from the center of the box. Assist from Tim Payne. 

HT Egypt 0-1 New Zealand 

58' Goal! Mostafa Zico scores with a header from the center of the box. 

62' Goal! Mohamed Salah scores with left footed shot from the center of the box. Assist from Mostafa Zico. 

82' Goal! Trezeguet scores with right footed shot from the center of the box. Assist from Mohamed Salah.

90'+3' Penalty Missed! Zizo squandered a golden opportunity after rounding Max Crocombe but seeing his attempt saved. 

FT Egypt 3-1 New Zealand

Line-ups

New Zealand XI: Michael Boxall, Wood, Tim Payne, Max Crocombe, Joe Bell, Sarpreet Singh, Callum McCowatt, Liberato Cacace, Elijah Just, Marko Stamenić, Finn Surman

Subs: Kosta Barbarouses, Tommy Smith, Ryan Thomas, Alex Rufer, Logan Rogerson, Michael Woud, Callan Elliot, Francis de Vries, Ben Waine, Nando Pijnaker, Alex Paulsen, Ben Old, Jesse Randall, Lachlan Bayliss, Tyler Bindon

Egypt XI: Salah, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Hamdy Fathy, Omar Marmoush, Ahmed Fatouh, Mohanad Lasheen, Emam Ashour, Oufa Shobeir, Marwan Ateya, Mostafa Ziko

Subs: El Mahdi Soliman, Mohamed El Shenawy, Ramy Rabia, Trezeguet, Zizo, Karim Hafez, Nabil Dunga, Haissem Hassan, Mahmoud Saber, Ibrahim Adel, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Tarek Alaa, Mohamed Alaa, Hamza Abdelkarim