A Pharaoh's Promise Fulfilled: Salah Delivers Egypt's Long-Awaited World Cup Triumph
New Zealand Vs Egypt Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Egypt produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat New Zealand 3-1 and secure the country's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory in Vancouver. The All Whites looked on course for a famous result when Finn Surman rose highest to head home Tim Payne's corner in the 16th minute, giving New Zealand a deserved halftime lead. However, Egypt emerged a different side after the break. Mostafa Ziko sparked the turnaround with a powerful header in the 59th minute before Mohamed Salah completed the comeback nine minutes later with a clinical finish following a clever one-two with Ziko. Salah then turned provider, delivering a pinpoint corner for Trezeguet to head home in the 82nd minute. The historic win puts Egypt firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
New Zealand fans march to BC Place prior to a World Cup Group G soccer match against Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP
New Zealand fans march to BC Place prior to a World Cup Group G soccer match against Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand's Chris Wood, center, warms up with teammates before the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
An Egypt fan waves a flag showing player Mohamed Salah prior to a World Cup Group G soccer match against New Zealand in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand players pose for a group photo before the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt players pose for a team photo prior to the first half of the World Cup Group G soccer match against New Zealand in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) runs with the ball during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Kaleb Tatum)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) reacts alongside teammates after New Zealand scored the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) celebrates his goal with New Zealand's Callum McCowatt (20) and New Zealand's Chris Wood (9) against Egypt during the first half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohanad Lashin, center, battles for the ball with New Zealand's Sarpreet Singh during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
A New Zealand fan cheers from the stands prior to first half World Cup Group G soccer action against Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand's Callum McCowatt, center left, receives a yellow card during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley talks with Tim Payne (2) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) pushes off of New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Emma Peterson)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt players celebrate after Trezeguet (7) scored his side's third goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Mostafa Ziko (11) celebrates his goal against New Zealand during the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) is congratulated on his goal by coaching staff as head coach Hossam Hassan confers with teammate Emam Ashour (8) during the second half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal during second half World Cup Group G soccer action against New Zealand, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Hany (3) and New Zealand's Michael Boxall (5) vie for the ball during second half World Cup group G soccer action, i in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio, right, and Cape Verde's Helio Varela shake hands after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir (23) front and Egypt's Mohamed Alaa (26) celebrate the win over New Zealand during the second half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt players celebrate their victory over New Zealand after their World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
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