Salah Stars as Egypt Clinch Historic First World Cup Win
Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a stunning 3-1 comeback over New Zealand — the Pharaohs’ first World Cup win in 92 years of trying.
Egypt Overturn Half-Time Deficit
Ninety-two years of waiting, dissolved in a second-half storm in Vancouver. Egypt came from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in a Group G thriller that will echo through generations of Egyptian football. Goals from Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet completed an emotionally shattering comeback. The Pharaohs have waited long enough — and when their moment arrived, they seized it.
Finn Surman headed New Zealand in front from a 15th-minute set piece and the All Whites held that lead into the interval. Egypt came out transformed. Mostafa Zico levelled with a sharp finish before Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s most celebrated player — added his name to the scoresheet with characteristic precision. Trezeguet rounded off the rout to spark wild scenes on the pitch and back home in Cairo, where streets filled with celebrating fans.
Salah Leads Egypt’s Landmark Night
The result lifted Egypt to the summit of Group G and made clear this squad is here to compete, not simply participate. Salah, 33, still moves with elegant intent at the highest level. For Egyptian fans who lived through years of agonising near-misses and qualification failures, this victory carries an emotional weight no scoreline can fully capture. The Pharaohs arrived at the World Cup — and they made everyone notice.
Egypt’s first World Cup win throws open the door to something genuinely special. With Salah leading the line and a squad that fights with unified purpose, a place in the last 32 looks firmly within reach. African football’s night in Vancouver will not be forgotten quickly by anyone who witnessed it.
