World Cup – Salah scores and assists as Egypt defeats New Zealand 3-1 to temporarily top Group G.

In the second round of Group G matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Egypt faced New Zealand at BC Stadium in Vancouver, Canada. They ultimately defeated their opponents 3-1, finishing first in the group with 4 points from two matches.

New Zealand started strong, launching an early attack and repeatedly threatening the Egyptian goal. In the 6th minute, Liberato Cacache broke down the left flank and delivered a cross, but Sapreet Singh's long-range shot went just wide. In the 13th minute, Marko Stamenjic dribbled past two players on the left and played a through ball to Ilya Just, whose low shot inside the box was saved by Mustafa Shubir. Tim Payne then scored from a corner on the left, with Finn Surman heading in the opening goal to give New Zealand the lead. In the 18th minute, Ahmed Fatuh's clearance error nearly gifted a goal, but Callum McCowart's powerful shot from a tight angle was saved by Shubir.

In the 26th minute, Egypt finally got their first shot on target of the match through Omar Malmush on the edge of the penalty area, which resulted in Max Crocom fumbling the save. Mohamed Salah attempted a follow-up shot, but was unable to get it going due to being surrounded by Kakache and Crocom.

However, Malmush's long-range shot officially sounded the horn for Egypt's counterattack. In the 34th minute, he took a free kick from the left side of the penalty area and delivered a cross, but Salah's sudden shot went slightly wide. In the 45th minute, Mustafa Ziko crossed from the right, and Ashur's shot inside the penalty area went wide to the left. In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Mohamed Hani delivered a cross from the right, and Salah's follow-up shot was saved by Crocom.

At the start of the second half, New Zealand again created threats using their aerial advantage. In the 51st minute, Stamenjic crossed from the left into the box, and Karen McCowat's header was blocked by Shubir's arm. Egypt immediately responded, breaking through in the 57th minute: Hani delivered a cross from the right, and Ziko headed the ball into the net from the center of the box to equalize. In the 66th minute, Salah played a one-two with Ziku on the right side of the box before firing a low shot into the far corner to score again. In the 81st minute, Salah's corner from the right was headed in by Trezeguet at the near post to seal the victory.

Neither side managed to score again, and the final score was 3-1.

Image source: Internet