The class and quality of Mo Salah and the stubbornness of the Egyptians gave the “Pharaohs” an impressive turnaround and a 3-1 victory against New Zealand (their first in the World Cup finals) in the context of the 2nd matchday of the 2026 World Cup and led them to the top of Group 7 with 4 points.
In the first 20 minutes, New Zealand dominated at Vancouver’s “BC Place”, having two chances (7′ Sing out, 14′ Just save by Sobair) and a goal by Finn Shurman (a powerful header) in the 15th minute for 1-0.
Egypt equalized after half an hour, pressed with the efforts of Salah (35′, 46′), Ashour (45’+1′) and finally equalized in the 58th minute with a powerful header by Zico after a cross by Hani. The Egyptians caught fire and in the 67th minute they achieved a complete turnaround with a wonderful goal by their leader Mo Salah.
The… icing on the cake came from Trezeguet’s wonderful header in the 82nd minute (six minutes after entering the match) after an assist from Salah, making the final score 3-1 in favor of the Egyptians.
Referee : Omar Alali (UAE)
Yellow Cards : 20′ Singh, 34′ McCowat – 17′ Lassin
Red Cards : –
The lineups of the two teams:
NEW ZEALAND (Darren Baisley) : Crocombe, Paine (86′ Bydon), Schuurman, Boxall, Kakache (76′ Randall), Bell, Stamenic, McCowatt (66′ Old), Singh (76′ Thomas), Just (86′ De Vries), Wood.
EGYPT (Hosham Hassan) : Sobair, Hani, Ibrahim, Fati (41′ l.t. Rabia), Fatouh, Atia, Lassin, Zico (76′ Abdelkarim), Salah (85′ Zizo), Ashour (85′ Abdelmagid), Marmous (76′ Trezeguet).
