2026 FIFA World Cup — Group G, Matchday 2 | June 22 | BC Place, Vancouver
VANCOUVER — Egypt first played at a World Cup in 1934. They lost to Hungary. They returned in 1990. They drew twice, lost once, and went home. They came back in 2018. They lost all three matches. They qualified again in 2026. They drew their opening match against Belgium.
Ninety-two years. Five World Cup appearances. Zero wins.
At half-time in Vancouver, that record looked set to continue. New Zealand led 1-0. Egypt had been here before — trailing, struggling, heading for another disappointment.
Then Mohamed Salah decided that enough was enough.
The Second Half
The 59th minute. Mohamed Hany crossed from the right. Mostafa Ziko, unmarked in the box, headed the ball into the net. 1-1. The Egyptian fans behind the goal erupted. Hope returned.
The 67th minute. Ziko and Salah played a one-two at the edge of the box. Ziko laid it back. Salah cut inside. The same move he has made a thousand times for Liverpool. The same low shot into the far corner. The ball hit the net. 2-1.
Salah did not celebrate wildly. He ran to the corner flag, arms outstretched, and pointed to the sky. This was not just a goal. This was the goal that would end 92 years of waiting.
The 82nd minute. Salah’s corner. Trezeguet’s diving header. 3-1.
When the final whistle blew, Salah dropped to his knees. His teammates surrounded him. Some were crying. Some were laughing. The Egyptian bench emptied onto the pitch.
Ninety-two years. Five World Cups. One win.
The Pharaoh and His People
Mohamed Salah is 34 years old. This is almost certainly his last World Cup. He has won the Premier League. He has won the Champions League. He has won the African Cup of Nations. But a World Cup victory — just one — had eluded him.
Now he has it. And he earned it the way he has earned everything in his career: through sheer force of will.
Salah was involved in 10 shots during the match. He scored one. He created one. He was everywhere — dropping deep to collect the ball, drifting wide to cross, cutting inside to shoot. At 34, he is not as fast as he once was. But he is smarter. More patient. More dangerous.
Group G Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 |
| 2 | Iran | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
Match Details:
- New Zealand 1-3 Egypt
- Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
- Goals: Surman 15′, Ziko 59′ (assist: Hany), Salah 67′ (assist: Ziko), Trezeguet 82′ (assist: Salah)
- Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)