Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand for first-ever World Cup win

FootballSports
22 Jun 2026 • 11:51 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

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Image from: Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand for first-ever World Cup win
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (C) in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver. Mohamed Gamal Tageldin/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Mohamed Salah scored a goal and assisted another as Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 to claim their first-ever World Cup win on Sunday.

New Zealand thought they would be the ones celebrating a maiden victory at the tournament as Finn Surman gave them the lead in the 15th minute.

But Mustafa Zico levelled for Egypt in the 58th and team star Salah was on target in the 67th to turn the game around.

He played a lovely one-two with Zico before powering a finish past goalkeeper Max Crocombe.

Substitute Trezeguet sealed the historic victory in the 82nd with a diving header to finish off Salah's corner.

Egypt now top the Group G standings with four points. Iran and Belgium played out a goalless draw earlier and are two points bck in second and third respectively. New Zealand are last with one point.

Image from: Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand for first-ever World Cup win
Egypt's Mostafa Zico celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver. -/PHOTOSPORT/dpa
Image from: Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand for first-ever World Cup win
New Zealand's Finn Surman celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver. Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press via ZUMA Press/dpa