▲ Egypt's Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian national football team defeated New Zealand with a comeback winning goal from star striker Mohamed Salah, climbing to the top of Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage and securing a favorable position to advance to the round of 32.
Egypt secured a 3-1 comeback victory against New Zealand in their second Group G match of the tournament's group stage, held on Monday (KST) at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
With one win and one draw (4 points), Egypt rose to the top of Group G, while New Zealand (1 draw, 1 loss, 1 point) fell to the bottom.
Iran and Belgium ranked second and third, respectively, with two draws (2 points) each.
Both New Zealand and Egypt, having drawn their opening matches, clashed fiercely from the early minutes of the first half in pursuit of their first-ever World Cup victory.
Prior to this match, New Zealand (4 draws, 3 losses) and Egypt (3 draws, 5 losses) had never won a match in the World Cup finals.
However, Egypt claimed the comeback victory, tasting the sweet fruit of their first-ever win in the World Cup finals.
In particular, Egypt recorded multiple goals in a single match for the first time in 92 years, since their 2-4 loss to Hungary in the 1934 tournament.
The opening goal of the day belonged to New Zealand.
In the 15th minute of the first half, Timothy Payne's corner kick from the left was met by Finn Surman, a tall 190 cm defender who had joined the attack, who headed it into the center of the goal area to find the back of Egypt's net.
After conceding the opening goal, Egypt had to end the first half without an equalizer, as Salah's powerful left-footed free kick from near the left side of the penalty arc in the 35th minute went slightly wide of the left post.
For the second half, Egypt made a tactical change, moving Omar Marmoush, who had started as the lone striker in the first half, to the wing, and pushing Mohamed Salah and Mostafa Ziko, who had been playing in the second line of attack, up as a two-man strike partnership.
This tactical shift paid off perfectly.
Egypt finally leveled the score in the 58th minute with a crucial equalizer.
When Mohamed Hany delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area, Ziko attempted a header in the goal area. The ball off Ziko's head deflected off the New Zealand goalkeeper's left hand and went straight into the net.
In the 67th minute, captain Salah's boots finally exploded with action.
After exchanging a one-two pass with Ziko near the right side of the penalty area, Salah cut inside to the center of the box and shook New Zealand's net with a left-footed strike.
Ziko recorded multiple attacking points with one goal and one assist.
In the 76th minute, Trezeguet, who came on as a substitute for Marmoush, sealed the victory for Egypt by redirecting Salah's corner kick from the left with a diving header at the left side of the goal area, forcing New Zealand to concede defeat.
Salah, who also recorded one goal and one assist, was substituted in the 82nd minute to conserve his energy after completing his mission.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.