Egypt ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup victory in Vancouver on Monday, overturning an early deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 and seizing control of Group G in the expanded 2026 tournament. The result, in their fourth finals appearance, rewrites a record of eight previous matches without a win stretching back to 1934, and places the Pharaohs on the brink of a first-ever progression beyond the group stage.

The contest pivoted sharply after the interval. New Zealand had taken a 15th-minute lead when Finn Surman headed in a Tim Payne corner, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was forced into three vital first-half saves to prevent the All Whites from extending their advantage. Egypt’s only threat before the break came from an Omar Marmoush drive that Max Crocombe parried. After the restart, however, the African side transformed. Mustafa Abdel Raouf ‘Zico’ levelled in the 58th minute with a header from Mohamed Hany’s right-wing cross, and nine minutes later Salah finished a flowing move with a backheeled assist from Zico. Salah then turned provider, swinging in a corner that substitute Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ headed home in the 82nd minute to seal the win.

Salah’s goal, his third in World Cup finals, made him Egypt’s all-time leading scorer in the competition, surpassing Abdelrahman Fawzi’s two goals from 1934. It also drew him level with Sami Al-Jaber, Salem Al-Dawsari and Youssef En-Nesyri as the joint-top Arab marksman in tournament history, and placed him fourth among African scorers behind Asamoah Gyan, Roger Milla and Ahmed Musa. British and European press coverage framed the night as the end of a long-standing taboo, with outlets from The Guardian to L’Équipe highlighting Salah’s influence and Zico’s emergence. Arab football analysts noted that the victory was the 20th by an Arab nation at a World Cup and the 40th by an African side, with Egypt becoming the fifth Arab team to register a win after Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt now lead the group with four points, two clear of Iran and Belgium, who played out a goalless draw, while New Zealand remain bottom with one point. The final round of matches on Saturday pits Egypt against Iran and Belgium against New Zealand. A draw would almost certainly secure a top-two finish and a place in the round of 32, where FIFA’s prize structure guarantees $11 million per qualifier, but a victory would confirm top spot and a more favourable knockout draw. Coach Hossam Hassan, who carried the Egyptian flag around the pitch after the final whistle, dedicated the win to the nation, while Salah stressed the need to focus immediately on the Iran fixture.