New Zealand 1-3 Egypt

Mohamed Salah scored one goal and assisted another as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 and record their first World Cup win.

The Pharaohs had not won when appearing in the 1934, 1990 or 2018 editions of the tournament and based on a somewhat lackluster first-half performance, it looked like the long run would continue, especially after Finn Surman got in the opener after a questionable mark from a corner.

Salah’s most important contribution in the first half was a free-kick from the edge of the area that hit the wrong side of the left-hand post.

But after a tough talk with head coach Hossam Hasan during the break, the former Liverpool player and his teammates’ performances improved significantly.

Suddenly, their attacks looked threatened, forcing New Zealand to sit deeper – and hours earlier, in a similar position to Surman, the unmarked Mustafa Zico headed in Mohamed Hani’s cross.

Within 10 minutes of the equaliser, after a quick break, Salah came alive as he traded passes with Zico, then swept home – in trademark fashion he does so often in the Premier League – to give Egypt the lead for the first time in Vancouver.

And it was he who delivered the corner from the left that found substitute Trezguet, who dived in front of Max Crowcombe to put the icing on the cake and put the knockout stages within touching distance.

Moments in Vancouver…

• 14: save! Egypt goalkeeper Mustafa Shobeir made a smart save at his near post to deny Elias Just.
• 15: aim! Finn Surman put New Zealand ahead with a corner unmarked.
• 35: Omar Marmouse delivers a free-kick short to Mohamed Salah, but the former Liverpool man curls it wide of the left-hand post.
• 52: save! Shobeir had to be alert to tip a looping header from Callum McCowatt over the bar.
• 58: aim! Mustafa Dziko’s cross from the right was picked up by Mohamed Hani and he headed home unchallenged.
• 67: aim! Zico exchanges passes with Salah, who then coolly sweeps home to put Egypt ahead for the first time.
• 82: aim! Salah picked out Trezeguet with a corner from the right, which he dived to put behind Max Crocombe.
• 90+3: chance! Substitute Zizo rounds Crocombe, but takes too long to shoot and his effort is blocked.

What does the result mean?

Analysis: Salah shines in superstar’s World Cup

Sky Sports’ Dan Long:

He may not have hit the heights of last year in the 2025/26 season with Liverpool – in what turned out to be his final campaign at Anfield – but Mohamed Salah is doing what he does best at this summer’s World Cup.

After warming up in Vancouver, he scored the goal that easily put Egypt in front for the first time. It was a familiar finish – and a historic one too, as the 34-year-old became Egypt’s oldest World Cup goalscorer. Later, he became the oldest African player to record both goals and assists in a World Cup.

In doing so, Salah continued his record of scoring or assisting in every World Cup game.

In 2018, he played against Russia and Saudi Arabia and scored in both games. Now, in 2026, he assisted Mohamed Hani’s goal against Belgium before his starring role against New Zealand.

This summer’s edition has been dubbed the Superstars’ World Cup – and after helping the Pharaohs to the brink of the knockout stages, Salah is proving he’s still one of them.

Rate the players