VANCOUVER, BC, Canada— Egypt claimed their first victory of the 2026 World Cup with a 3–1 win over New Zealand in their second Group G fixture. Mohamed Salah and Mostafa Zico inspired the comeback after the break, each contributing a goal and an assist. The North Africans now sit alone at the top of the group following Belgium's draw with Iran.
Salah answered his country's call when they needed him most. The former Liverpool winger arrived at the World Cup surrounded by doubts after an inconsistent and disappointing season at club level. He had already provided an assist for Ashour against Belgium in Egypt's opening match, and against New Zealand he was the standout performer. He fulfils a different role for the national team: operating as an attacking midfielder behind the striker rather than starting from the right flank, Salah drifts into central areas to thread passes through to the wingers and centre-forward while orchestrating Egypt's attacks.
There was plenty at stake. Belgium's goalless draw with Iran meant that victory would send the winners to the top of the group. Finishing first would offer a more favourable tie in the Round of 32. Egypt knew exactly what was on the line and began with purpose, dominating possession and patiently constructing attacks. On paper, they possessed greater individual quality than the Oceania side.
New Zealand, however, sat deep in a compact defensive block, and their approach paid off during the opening half. Singh created the All Whites' first opportunity on the counter, before Just finished off an excellent move down the left only for Egypt goalkeeper Shobeir to tip the effort behind. From the resulting corner, delivered by Tim Payne towards the near post, Finn Surman powered home a superb header to give New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes.
The goal unsettled Egypt, who took time to recover. Chris Wood's clever lay-off ended with a long-range strike from Bell, but Zico produced an important defensive block. After the cooling break, Marmoush directed a straightforward effort at Crocombe, while Salah curled a free-kick narrowly wide. Ashour also squandered a gilt-edged chance deep into first-half stoppage time.
The match opened up after the interval and both sides created clear opportunities. New Zealand forced an excellent save from Shobeir with a close-range header, while Egypt saw a couple of promising attacks denied by determined defending. In the 57th minute, Zico met Hany's pinpoint cross with a well-placed header to level the score. The equaliser transformed Egypt, who immediately grew in confidence.
Salah and Zico drove that resurgence. The pair constantly interchanged positions, with the captain drifting back towards the right wing — the role in which he flourished at Liverpool — while the Pyramids winger moved into central areas. Their movement and understanding produced Egypt's second goal. Ashour slipped a perfectly weighted pass between the lines to Zico, who released Salah on the right. The Egyptian star then produced one of his trademarks moves, cutting inside before exchanging a one-two with Zico and firing a low finish across the goalkeeper into the far corner.
Egypt were not content to protect their advantage and continued to push forward. Salah's corner found Trezeguet, whose header sealed the victory with ten minutes remaining. Zizo even had the chance to add a fourth, but Crocombe stuck out a crucial foot to deny him.
The Pharaohs recovered impressively after a difficult first half and completed the comeback with authority. They now face Iran with less pressure than the other sides in the group, leaving them well placed to finish as Group G winners. Salah has joined the list of standout performers at this World Cup, having recorded one goal and two assists in his opening two matches. Egypt, meanwhile, can take confidence from seeing their talisman back at his very best.
Photo by Mohamed Gamal Tageldin /JNA Press
