5 min learnJun 22, 2026 01:44 PM IST
A cellphone in a single hand, a bottle within the different, and displaying off his six-pack, Mohamed Salah danced within the dressing room as his teammates clapped and sang round him. These celebrations lasted deep into the evening in Vancouver as Salah led Egypt to a first-ever win on the World Cup, humbling New Zealand 3-1 in a Group G match.
The historic second, which propelled the seven-time African champions to the highest of the desk, triggered wild scenes hundreds of miles away in Cairo, the place fan zones erupted in a sea of pink and white. For a nation that had waited 92 years for this sense, the jubilation was as a lot a launch of pent-up pressure because it was a celebration.
Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, additionally joined the celebrations. He wrote on X: “I congratulate the Egyptian nationwide staff and the followers of our nice folks on reaching the primary victory within the historical past of Egypt’s participation within the World Cup, with an honorable efficiency that displays the willpower and can of the folks of this nation.”
Victory dance ❤️🕺 pic.twitter.com/PD7jtreLUk
— Salah Updates #WorldCup (@SalahUpdates) June 22, 2026
Salah, as he so usually is, was within the thick of it. After an underwhelming Premier League season by his personal requirements, he got here into this World Cup with lots to show — one thing he had been making an attempt to inform everybody all alongside. That he’s nonetheless up there, nonetheless among the best. A quiet efficiency towards Belgium that yielded solely an help had some folks writing him off already. A low-key first half towards New Zealand did little to assist. However he stepped up when Egypt wanted him most, scoring a aim and offering an help in a match that every one however confirmed their progress to the knockout phases.
The Egyptian King, as he’s recognized to the adoring Anfield crowd, was delighted however knew the job was not performed. Talking after the sport, Salah stated: “It’s an important achievement for all of the gamers. It’s an important win. It’s an important vibe. The following recreation is essential.”
The competition proved a story of two halves, showcasing contrasting tactical approaches. New Zealand’s technique was direct: launch lengthy balls, safe the preliminary header and assault. In the meantime, the Pharaohs tried a affected person build-up, trying to dismantle the defence by means of intricate passing. Regrettably for Egypt, they lacked any actual synchronisation within the first half, with gamers usually showing oblivious to their teammates’ subsequent strikes.
The Kiwis took the lead within the fifteenth minute by means of a set piece that Egypt appeared woefully unprepared for. Tim Payne’s nook arrived in the course of the field to a someway utterly unmarked Finn Surman, who fired in one of many easiest targets of his profession. New Zealand had taken the lead for the third time in two video games. This one wouldn’t stick both.
Hossam Hassan’s half-time staff speak appeared to have revitalised his squad, as they emerged for the second half trying like a wholly completely different beast. New Zealand, nevertheless, remained harmful and almost doubled their lead within the 52nd minute. Marko Stamenic, working deep on the left wing, noticed Ibrahim McCowatt’s surging run into the field. His reverse header was denied by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s lightning-quick reactions.
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Six minutes later, Egypt’s persistence lastly paid off. Mustafa Ziko levelled the sport as New Zealand surrendered a lead for the third time this match.
Mohamed Hany’s cross discovered Ziko unmarked within the field, and goalkeeper Max Crocombe should still really feel he ought to have performed extra to maintain out the header, which was highly effective however straight at him.
Simply earlier than the second hydration break, Egypt seized the benefit. The opening goalscorer turned supplier, feeding the ball on to Salah. One among Premier League’s most prolific African goalscorers delivered a classic end, controlling the play on the flank earlier than exchanging a chic one-two with Ziko and bending a exact left-footed strike into the far backside nook.
By the eightieth minute, New Zealand seemed like they had been working on fumes beneath the Vancouver solar. Egypt completed the job with 10 minutes of regular time remaining. This time, it was the substitute Trezeguet, assembly Salah’s nook close to the sting of the six-yard space with good timing and powering a bullet header previous Crocombe, leaving the goalkeeper no probability and extinguishing any hopes of a late comeback. Salah joined Ziko in recording each a aim and an help on the evening.