Egypt 3-1 – Mohamed Salah’s go-ahead goal helped Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night at BC Place, securing the Pharaohs’ first-ever World Cup win and sending them to the top of Group G—while a decisive match vs. Iran still waits.
BC Place was at its loudest when Mohamed Salah finally broke the moment open.
On Sunday night in Vancouver. Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1. delivering the Pharaohs their first-ever World Cup victory. The scene in the sellout crowd in red was electric: Salah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute. and when he was subbed off in the 85th minute he received a standing ovation.
Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but the knockout dream isn’t secured yet. The Pharaohs will play a deciding game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.
For Egypt, this victory carries extra weight. It was their fourth World Cup appearance after missing the field in Qatar four years ago. Salah, too, arrives with history: he scored a pair of goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
New Zealand, though, made Egypt pay for brief stretches of indecision. Finn Surman put the All Whites ahead in the 15th minute with a flying header off a corner kick delivered by Tim Payne—an Instagram sensation—giving Surman his third international goal. Surman’s height mattered, but the timing did too, cutting through an early wave of Egypt pressure.
Egypt responded instead of retreating. Omar Marmoush dropped a free kick off to Salah in the 35th minute, and Salah’s chance went just wide and bent into the side netting, keeping New Zealand within reach of being pulled apart before halftime.
The second half turned into Egypt’s fight. Mostafa Zico broke through with the equalizer in the 58th minute. finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand to but couldn’t stop. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer. as if the crowd itself had to help finish the job.
Salah then took over the story of the night. He scored in the 67th minute after receiving a back-heel pass from Zico. a goal that left him just one away from tying his coach Hossam Hassan for the national team’s all-time scoring lead. Trezeguet sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a diving header that wrapped up scoring for Egypt.
Even the interruptions carried their own tension. Hamdy Fathy was subbed off late in the first half after an apparent injury away from the ball, replaced by Ramy Rabia.
New Zealand’s tournament has been defined by momentum swings. In the group opener against Iran, the All Whites twice took the lead, only to cede it for a 2-2 draw. Elijah Just scored both goals in that match. At the World Cup in 2010, New Zealand drew all three of its games.
On the same day, Iran and Belgium played to a scoreless draw earlier in Inglewood, California. That result left both teams with two straight draws at the tournament. New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium.
Egypt, meanwhile, are left with a victory that feels historic—and a finish line that still isn’t crossed. Salah’s night put them on top, but the Pharaohs will need one more lift against Iran in Seattle, with at least a draw required to advance.
Egypt vs New Zealand Mohamed Salah World Cup Group G Finn Surman Mostafa Zico Tim Payne Max Crocombe Ramy Rabia Hamdy Fathy Hossam Hassan Trezeguet Iran vs Egypt
Salah is basically unstoppable… how is Egypt not always winning though?
So they beat New Zealand 3-1 and now they’re gonna play Iran? I saw something about Qatar too, like why mention Qatar if it’s not even this year. Also BC Place sounds like a hockey stadium lol.
Wait, I thought Salah already scored two goals in the tournament, but the article says he scored the go-ahead and mentions 2018? Maybe this was like a friendly and not the World Cup? Idk I’m confused. Either way, crowd standing ovation for being subbed off at 85 minutes is wild.
New Zealand scored early right? Then Egypt turns it around. But the part about Tim Payne being an Instagram sensation, like does that matter at all or is it just clickbait? Also “needing at least a draw to advance” sounds like they’re already doomed if they lose by one lol. Group G is gonna be chaos for sure.