Salah starred as Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 in their first World Cup win | World Cup 2026

Egypt struck with a goal late in the half to turn the game on its head and strengthen their case for victory.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the tournament as part of a second-half display to give Egypt their first win of the World Cup, 3-1, against New Zealand in Vancouver.

Both Salah and Mostafa Zico had a goal and an assist each as Egypt overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to take first place in Group G on Sunday. Trezeguet scored Egypt’s third goal on late insurance.

Salah celebrated his 68th international goal with a fist pump before being carried by his teammates in the 67th minute to the delight of the red-clad Pharaohs fans in a sold-out crowd at BC Place, Vancouver.

When Salah was brought on in the 85th minute, he stood up.

The first three matches of Group G ended in draws, including Belgium and Iran tossing a scoreless inning earlier on Sunday, leaving the team wide open to take over. New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) thought they were on that path after Finn Surman’s 15th-minute goal gave them a lead they would hold for nearly half the game.

Egypt will complete the group stage against Iran on Friday, all but assured that they will still go for the knockout stages no matter what. New Zealand, still looking for their first World Cup victory, will look to Belgium on the same day and hope to progress.

Mostafa Shoubir made four saves for Egypt, while Max Crocombe recorded four for New Zealand.

New Zealand got their go-ahead punch when Elijah Just made a strong effort on target, and Shoubir flicked it out of bounds.

Tim Payne’s subsequent corner found Surman in the air. Surman’s diving header went past a helpless Shoubir to give the All Whites the lead.

Egypt made the breakthrough in the 35th minute with a free kick from the edge of the box after Callum McCowatt picked up a yellow card for a poor tackle. A teammate put the ball to Salah, whose effort went wide to the left.

Egypt had more energy and more chances in the second half, starting with Salah forcing Crocombe into a save with less than 40 seconds left.

But Afarao finally broke through in the 58th minute. Mohamed Hany sent a superb cross to Zico, whose header near the 6-yard line hit the gloves of Crocombe on the way.

Salah arrived in the ninth minute. Zico linked up with Salah on the right in the transition game. He rounded his man in the box and flicked a pass in front of Zico, who slotted it into the box for Salah to finish with a shot into the top left corner.

Trezeguet ended the game in the 82nd minute with another header from a corner. Salah sent in a few contributions, and Trezeguet didn’t realize his diving header was coming. It was Trezeguet’s 24th international goal and first at the World Cup.

“In years to come, we will remember that this was one of the greatest achievements in history,” Salah said.

He praised the large group of Egyptians who were in the crowd saying: “It looks like we are playing in Egypt.