Egypt secure – Mohamed Salah delivered again as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand in Group G at BC Place, securing their first ever World Cup win. Finn Surman had given New Zealand an opening scare, but Mostafa Ziko equalised just before the hour, and Salah later se
The roar at BC Place had been waiting for something to break — and when it did, it didn’t arrive quietly.
Egypt were made to work for their first-ever World Cup win against New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. The match swung on Mohamed Salah, whose second-half involvement turned a tense Group G contest into a statement of survival.
New Zealand looked capable of causing the biggest kind of upset in the first half when Finn Surman rose highest to power home a header. Surman. who plays club football for Portland Timbers in MLS. delivered the kind of moment that changes tournaments early: Egypt were behind. and the crowd in Vancouver had to hold its breath.
They managed that for a while. New Zealand held onto their lead for the rest of the first half, weathering the pressure without conceding again — even as Egypt’s presence, built around Salah’s status as Liverpool’s star, grew harder to ignore.
But the breakthrough for Egypt came just before the hour. Mostafa Ziko levelled the game, pulling Egypt back into it when New Zealand could least afford to lose their grip.
Salah then delivered the kind of finishing touch that turns milestones into memories. As the game neared its end, the 34-year-old’s influence shifted from scorer to creator. Salah whipped in a corner. and Trezeguet’s header at the near post sent the ball into the net to extend Egypt’s advantage to 3-1.
The final score meant Egypt’s moment arrived the hard way — coming from behind after Surman’s early header — and it came with immediate consequence. An earlier draw between Belgium and Iran in Group G’s other clash had opened the door, and Egypt walked through it, moving top with one game to go.
In the stands, the significance of what Salah had done for Egypt wasn’t lost. The crowd inside Vancouver’s BC Place celebrated when the Liverpool forward added a second goal for his country. and there was standing ovation as he came off the pitch. hugged by his manager after a performance that carried Egypt all the way to their first World Cup victory.
Egypt New Zealand Mohamed Salah Mostafa Ziko Finn Surman Trezeguet World Cup 2026 Group G BC Place Vancouver