Egypt Beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver to Claim Historic First World Cup Win

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published June 22, 2026

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Egypt finally wrote a new chapter in their World Cup history on Sunday night, coming from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver and claim their first-ever victory in the tournament. Reuters reported that Mohamed Salah inspired the comeback as Egypt moved to the top of Group G and boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The match began with pressure on both sides, as neither Egypt nor New Zealand had ever won a World Cup match before this meeting. New Zealand struck first through Finn Surman, but Egypt responded strongly after halftime, turning the game around with a far more aggressive and composed second-half performance.

Salah was at the heart of Egypt’s revival. The 34-year-old captain scored and assisted as the Pharaohs took control after the break, while Mostafa Ziko and Mahmoud Trezeguet also contributed to the historic win. FIFA’s match report described Salah’s goal as the decisive moment in Egypt’s 3-1 comeback victory.

For Egypt, the result was more than three points. It ended a long wait for a first World Cup win and changed the mood around the team after their opening 1-1 draw with Belgium. With four points from two matches, Egypt now sits in a strong position in Group G before its final group-stage match against Iran.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will be left frustrated after failing to protect its early advantage. Coach Darren Bazeley said his team’s second-half drop in tempo and quality allowed Egypt to dominate the match, leaving the All Whites with only one point and a must-win situation against Belgium in their final group game.

The victory also carried special meaning for Egyptian supporters in Vancouver and across Canada. BC Place became the stage for one of the most important nights in Egyptian football history, as fans celebrated a result that could reshape the Pharaohs’ path in the tournament. Canadian Press/Yahoo coverage from Vancouver reported Egyptian fans celebrating after the historic 3-1 win.

Egypt’s next challenge will be to turn this emotional victory into qualification. The win over New Zealand has given the team control, confidence and momentum, but the final group match against Iran will decide whether the Pharaohs can carry this historic moment into the knockout stage.

Egypt did not simply win a match in Vancouver; they broke a World Cup barrier that had lasted for generations. With Salah leading, Ziko and Trezeguet delivering, and the team showing character after falling behind, the Pharaohs now have a real chance to turn one historic night into a deeper tournament run.