Egypt have made history in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding win over New Zealand with a scoreline of 3-1. This is their first ever win in the FIFA World Cup and they have etched their names into the history of the gloried tournament. Egypt has played 9 matches in the history of the FIFA World Cup, right from 1934 in Italy to 2026 in North America. After a frustrating 8 matches without a win, Mohammed Salah and his men would feel like they have finally got the monkey off their back. Egypt have gone to the top of the table in Group G, positioning them as the favourites to qualify for the knockout stage from their group.

The clash between the two sides did not kick off as expected as New Zealand broke the deadlock early in the game, credit to Finn Surman who scored off a fine cross from Tim Payne.

Egypt were quite silent in the early stages of the game as they simply weren’t able to put the ball into the back of the net. It was a completely different Egyptian side that was on the field in the second half of the game as they looked like they were filled with intent. Mostafa Ziko levelled the score for Egypt within the 60-minute mark and they didn't have to look back from there on in.

Egypt defeat New Zealand 3-1 in stunning comeback

In the first half of the game, New Zealand were very lively with the ball as they kept on creating chances out of nowhere. The players did a good job to play the ball in dangerous areas and they made sure that they kept Mostafa Shobeir, the Egyptian goalkeeper busy. Tim Payne played a beautiful cross into the middle of the box and it was well headed in by Finn Surman. That seemed to have flicked the switch for the Egyptian side as then they tried to create more opportunities, each time they had the ball in the attacking half.

However, things did not favour Egypt much as they weren’t able to convert the chances. Mohammed Salah attempted a cheeky free-kick by trying to go around the wall, but he missed the mark slightly and that could have been the leveller for Egypt. Then right at the stroke of half-time, Marwan Attia delivered a beautiful cross into the box, but Emam Ashour fluffed his lines with a massive miss.

Then in the latter half of the game, M Hany fired in a fine cross and this time, Mostafa Ziko was there to head it into the back of the net and that changed the momentum of the game entirely. He was left unmarked in the middle and he helped the ball on its way with a thumping header. Shortly after Mohammed Salah scored for Egypt with a clinical finish and the game was surely going their way at that point. Later on in the dying minutes of the game, Trezeguet headed the ball into the post off a fine cross from Mohammed Salah. Egypt secured a much-needed win and this would surely be one of the greatest moments in the nation’s footballing history.