Egypt beats New Zealand 3-1, leads 2026 World Cup Group G

Egypt secured their first victory in the 2026 World Cup, overcoming a deficit to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a crucial Group G match. The win propels The Pharaohs to the top of their group, significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

New Zealand surprised the Egyptian team by taking an early lead in the seventh minute. Sarpreet Singh threatened with a long-range shot, and Marko Stamenic forced a key save from Egyptian goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir. The pressure from New Zealand paid off when Finn Surman headed in a corner kick, giving his team a 1-0 advantage. This early goal reflected New Zealand's aggressive and confident start.

Despite falling behind, Egypt gradually found their rhythm. Omar Marmoush and captain Mohamed Salah led the charge, creating attacking opportunities. Although New Zealand's defense held firm through the first half, Egypt's resilience eventually paid off in the second half. Marmoush equalized, and Salah scored to seal the victory, marking a significant comeback for the Egyptian side.

With this win, Egypt now leads Group G with four points. Belgium and Iran are tied with two points each, while New Zealand sits at the bottom with one point. Egypt's strong performance positions them well for the next stage of the tournament.

“

Egypt showed strong mentality to come back from a deficit and defeat New Zealand 3-1.