Salah inspires Egypt to first-ever World Cup win

Mohamed Salah’s name has been synonymous with Egypt’s footballing identity for a decade, but on Sunday night in Vancouver, he etched his legacy deeper into the nation’s history. The Liverpool forward, already the Pharaohs’ all-time top scorer, delivered a performance for the ages as Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup victory, beating New Zealand 3-1 in a Group G thriller at BC Place. The win, sealed with a Salah goal and assist, ends a 92-year wait for a World Cup triumph and keeps Egypt’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

A historic breakthrough in Vancouver

The Pharaohs arrived in Canada with a weight of expectation, but their opening 45 minutes in Vancouver offered little reassurance. Finn Surman’s 15th-minute header from a corner exposed shaky defending, leaving Egypt staring down the barrel of a second consecutive World Cup defeat. Salah’s only notable contribution before the break was a free-kick that drifted just wide of the left post, a rare moment of individual quality amid collective sluggishness.

If the first half was a wake-up call, the second was a masterclass in resilience. Hossam Hassan’s half-time adjustments injected urgency into Egypt’s play, and within minutes of the restart, Mostafa Zaki Abdelraouf rose unmarked to head home Mohamed Hany’s cross, leveling the score. The floodgates opened shortly after when Salah, drifting into space on the left, exchanged passes with Zaki before slotting home—his first World Cup goal since 2018. Trezeguet, introduced as a substitute, capped the rout in the 82nd minute, diving to meet Salah’s corner and powering a header past Max Crocombe.

Why this win matters beyond the scoreboard

For a nation that has endured decades of near-misses and first-round exits, Sunday’s result transcends mere points. Egypt’s previous World Cup outings—1934, 1990, and 2018—ended without a single victory, a statistic that loomed over this squad. Salah, now 34, has carried the weight of those expectations for years, but his influence here was not just about goals. His assist for Trezeguet, delivered with the precision of a seasoned playmaker, underscored his ability to dictate tempo even as he enters the twilight of his international career.

The win also shifts the narrative for Group G, where Brazil and France remain favorites but no longer invincible. With Portugal and Uruguay lurking, Egypt’s progression is far from guaranteed, but their attacking fluidity—built around Salah’s movement and Zaki’s aerial threat—has given opponents a new problem to solve. The Pharaohs’ next challenge, against either Portugal or Uruguay, will test their mettle, but for now, they can savor a landmark moment.

Tactical adjustments that turned the tide

Hassan’s halftime intervention was decisive. The shift from a passive, possession-heavy approach to a direct, counter-pressing system allowed Egypt to exploit New Zealand’s defensive frailties. Salah’s goal came from a rapid break, a sequence that exposed gaps in the All Whites’ backline and highlighted the dangers of leaving Zaki unmarked at set-pieces. Trezeguet’s introduction added another dimension, stretching New Zealand’s defense and forcing Crocombe into a save moments before the final goal.

New Zealand, despite the loss, showed character in patches, with Elijah Just’s early effort forcing a smart save from Mostafa Shobeir. But Egypt’s superior individual quality and tactical flexibility proved the difference. The Pharaohs’ ability to adapt mid-game, coupled with Salah’s leadership, suggests they are more than just a one-man team.

The road to the knockout stages is still uncertain, but Egypt have proven they belong. Salah’s legacy grows with every World Cup appearance, and for the first time in nearly a century, his country can celebrate a victory on the biggest stage. The question now is whether this is the start of something greater—or just a fleeting moment of glory. One thing is certain: the Pharaohs will not be taken lightly again.