Egypt have finally ended their long wait for a World Cup win, with Mohamed Salah delivering a match-winning performance against New Zealand in a 3-1 victory.
The result is Egypt’s first World Cup win at their ninth attempt, ending a 92-year drought that had haunted the Pharaohs across generations of footballers.
Salah, 34, had endured a slow start to the tournament, looking ineffectual in the opening draw with Belgium and quiet during the first half against New Zealand.
New Zealand even took an early shock lead, threatening to extend Salah’s personal World Cup misery yet again before Egypt fought their way back into the contest.
The Liverpool departure’s 67th-minute goal gave Egypt the lead and changed the entire complexion of a match that had been heading in a damaging direction.
Salah then delivered a corner that Trezeguet headed home to seal the victory, with the Egyptian captain firmly at the heart of a historic result for his nation.
It continues a remarkable run of tournament star turns, with Salah now joining Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in making his mark on the 2026 World Cup.
After a forgettable campaign at the 2018 World Cup and Egypt’s failure to even qualify for Qatar in 2022, the result represents a long-awaited breakthrough for their greatest ever player.
Sunday’s goal was his 68th international goal in 118 appearances, leaving him just one short of manager Hossam Hassan’s all-time Egyptian scoring record.
Egypt now know that a point against Iran will be enough to secure their place in the last 32, though they may not even need it depending on results elsewhere.
Salah said: “It’s a great achievement for all the players. It’s a great win. It’s a great vibe. The next game is very important.”
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking to ITV, said: “If there was any doubt about Mo’s impact on this team, you can still see it.”
Postecoglou added: “It will give them enormous belief. They had to deal with adversity and their big player stood up and that will give them big confidence. You need your big players to perform to progress.”
Former Jamaica winger Jobi McAnuff was equally impressed, saying: “Just when he was needed, Mo Salah stood up for his country.”
Salah’s path to this moment has been far from smooth, with his 2018 campaign overshadowed by a shoulder injury suffered in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Dr Mohamed Aboud, the national team’s medic, recalled: “I even had calls from Egypt’s Minister of Health,” highlighting the enormous national significance attached to Salah’s fitness at the time.
The fallout from the 2018 World Cup was severe, with Salah accusing Egypt’s FA of disrupting preparations and reports emerging that he considered quitting international football altogether.
Egypt manager Hassan was also forced to deny any falling out with his captain before the New Zealand game, after substituting Salah during the opening draw with Belgium.
Despite winning Premier League titles with Liverpool in 2019-20 and 2024-25, Salah has never lifted a trophy for his country, with two Africa Cup of Nations final defeats adding to the pain.
This victory at least removes one burden from Egyptian football’s shoulders, giving Salah and a nation of fans the World Cup moment they have waited so long to celebrate.
