Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a historic first-ever World Cup victory as the Pharaohs overcame an early deficit to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver. The Group G clash at the 2026 World Cup looked destined for disappointment early on for the African giants.
New Zealand struck first in the 15th minute when Finn Surman found himself completely unmarked during a corner kick. The defender capitalised on some remarkably poor marking to power a header past Egypt’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir.
The early goal stunned the Pharaohs, who had failed to win a single match during their previous tournament appearances in 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Egypt looked completely insipid throughout the opening 45 minutes as they struggled to find any attacking rhythm.
Salah’s most notable contribution of the first half was a frustrating free-kick from the edge of the penalty box. The superstar forward rolled the ball short with Omar Marmoush before curling his effort wide of the left post.
Manager Hossam Hassan clearly delivered a fiery halftime team talk to ignite his squad.
The Pharaohs emerged from the tunnel for the second half looking like an entirely different football team. Suddenly, their attacking phases carried immense menace, forcing the All Whites to retreat deep into their own territory.
The relentless pressure paid dividends just before the hour mark through a clinical aerial attack.
Mostafa Ziko leveled the scoring in the 58th minute by meeting a precise cross from Mohamed Hany. The striker stood entirely unchallenged in the box to guide his header past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
The momentum shifted entirely toward the North Africans as they hunted for a decisive breakthrough.
Just nine minutes later, a rapid Egyptian counter-attack tore through the retreating New Zealand defensive line. Salah traded sharp, short passes with Ziko before unleashing a trademark, curling finish into the back of the net.
The clinical strike sent the traveling Egyptian fans into absolute euphoria inside the stadium. The former Liverpool talisman was not done tormenting the opposition defense just yet.
In the 82nd minute, Salah delivered a pinpoint corner kick from the left flank. Substitute Trezeguet lunged forward with a diving header to put the icing on a memorable Egyptian victory.
The historic three points put the knockout stages well within touching distance for Hassan’s men. They will look to carry this incredible second-half momentum into their next crucial Group G fixture.
