Salah Fires Egypt to First-Ever World Cup Win
Mohamed Salah’s strike powered Egypt to a 3-1 victory over New Zealand, their first World Cup win in 92 years.
Zico, Salah, Trezeguet Seal the Deal
History was written in Vancouver’s BC Place on June 21. Mohamed Salah pumped his fist, the stands erupted in red, and Egypt celebrated their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory — a 3-1 demolition of New Zealand that ended a 92-year wait for that elusive winning feeling. Mostafa Zico, Salah and Trezeguet were the heroes in a night that belongs to a generation of Pharaohs fans.
New Zealand drew first blood, rocking the Egyptian faithful into a stunned silence, but the Pharaohs hit back hard. Mostafa Zico levelled before Salah drove Egypt ahead with his trademark clinical finish in the 67th minute — his 68th international goal — and Trezeguet sealed the points to send the Egyptian supporters inside BC Place into delirium. New Zealand had no answer.
92 Years in the Making
Egypt made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1934 — a single-game cameo that ended in defeat. Since returning to the tournament stage in later decades, the Pharaohs had never tasted victory on the world’s biggest footballing stage. Salah’s fist-pump in the 67th minute finally drew a line under that wait and announced Egypt’s arrival as a genuine competitor at the 2026 edition.
Egypt now have belief, momentum and the world’s attention. With Salah firing and a squad hungry for more, the Pharaohs are no longer making up the numbers at this World Cup. Their group-stage journey is far from over — and neither is their story.
