Mohamed Salah delivered another unforgettable international moment as Egypt finally secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, leading the Pharaohs to a dramatic 3-1 comeback win over New Zealand in Vancouver.
After three previous World Cup appearances without a single victory — in 1934, 1990 and 2018 — Egypt arrived at the tournament searching for a breakthrough.
For much of the first half, however, history looked set to repeat itself.
New Zealand made the brighter start and punished Egypt’s defensive weakness from a set piece.
Finn Surman found space inside the box and powered a header beyond the goalkeeper after Egypt failed to deal with the danger from a corner.
The Pharaohs struggled to create a response before the break, with Salah unable to make his usual impact.
The Egypt captain’s best opportunity came from a free-kick on the edge of the area, but his effort drifted just wide of the left post.
However, everything changed after the interval.
Head coach Hossam Hassan’s halftime message appeared to transform Egypt’s approach as they returned with greater intensity, sharper movement and more attacking purpose.
Salah and his teammates began pushing New Zealand deeper, creating wave after wave of pressure.
Their persistence finally paid off before the hour mark.
Mohamed Hany delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and Mostafa Ziko rose highest to head home the equaliser, giving Egypt the confidence they had been searching for.
The comeback gathered momentum just minutes later when Salah stepped up to produce a moment of individual brilliance.
After combining quickly with Ziko during a rapid counter-attack, the former Liverpool star showed his trademark composure, sweeping the ball into the net to put Egypt ahead for the first time.
It was a familiar Salah finish, calm, precise and clinical, the kind of moment that has defined his career at the highest level. Egypt were not finished.
Salah turned provider in the closing stages, delivering a perfectly placed corner from the left that found substitute Trezeguet, who threw himself at the ball and headed beyond Max Crocombe to complete the comeback.
The victory marked a historic milestone for Egypt and moved them closer to reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
After years of waiting, the Pharaohs finally have their World Cup moment — and once again, Salah was at the centre of it.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
