Egypt's Trezeguet (7) celebrates with Mohamed Salah (10) and Marawan Attia (19) after scoring 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 players celebrate after Mohamed Salah (10) scored 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)
VANCOUVER, B.C. (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night and secured its first-ever World Cup victory.
Salah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute, to the thrill of the red-clad Pharaohs fans in the sellout crowd at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.Ìý
When Salah was subbed off in the 85th minute he was treated to a standing ovation.Ìý
Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but was not yet assured a spot in the knockout round. The Pharaohs will play a deciding game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.Ìý
Egypt is making its fourth World Cup appearance after missing the field in Qatar four years ago. Salah scored a pair of goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.Ìý
Finn Surman put New Zealand in front in the 15th minute with a flying header off a corner kick delivered by . It was the third international goal for the 6-foot-3 defender who plays for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.
Omar Marmoush dropped a free kick off to Salah in the 35th minute but it went just wide and bent into the side netting.Ìý
Egypt turned up the pressure coming out of the half and Mostafa Zico broke through with the equalizer, finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand on but couldn’t stop in the 58th minute. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer.
Salah took a back-heel pass from Zico for his goal, which puts him just one away from tying his coach Hossam Hassan for the national team's all-time scoring lead. Trezeguet's diving header wrapped up scoring for Egypt in the 82nd.Ìý
Egypt’s Hamdy Fathy was subbed off late in the first half after an apparent injury away from the ball. He was replaced by Ramy Rabia.Ìý
In the opener against Belgium, Emam Ashour scored the early goal for Egypt but then Romelu Lukaku subbed into the match and caused chaos in the box, resulting in an own goal .Ìý
New Zealand twice took the lead against Iran in their group opener, only to cede it for a . Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites.Ìý
New Zealand previously appeared at the World Cup in 2010 and drew all three of its games.Ìý
played to a scoreless draw earlier in the day in Inglewood, Calif., giving both teams two straight draws at the tournament. New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium.Ìý
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AP World Cup:
The Associated Press
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