VANCOUVER.- With a key goal, the one that sealed the comeback, and an assist, Mohamed Salah assumed responsibility and led Egypt’s 3-1 victory this Sunday over New Zealand, which leaves it on the verge of the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
The Pharaohs were the only leaders of the disputed Group G with four points, followed by Belgium and Iran, who tied 0-0 earlier, with two each. New Zealand closes with one unit.
On Friday, in the third and final day (03:00 GMT on Saturday), Egypt will play against Iran in Seattle and New Zealand will play against Belgium in Vancouver.
In this way, the Pharaohs will only have to draw to advance to the second round of the 2026 World Cup and even losing to the Iranians they could finish second in the series or also qualify as one of the best third parties.
That is why the importance of this vital victory, in which Salah was decisive.
The emblem of Liverpool, without a team for the next season as his contract with the Reds expired, scored the Pharaohs’ second goal in the 67th minute and assisted Trézéguet in the third (82′).
In this way, he assumed his responsibility as captain and led Egypt to turn around a game in which the Kiwis had taken the lead after 15 minutes through Surman, after an assist from social media sensation Tim Payne.
Egypt had equalized in the 59th minute with a goal from Mostafá Zico, eight minutes before Salah’s dazzling appearance with a trademark goal, a shot to place – a pass into the net – with the inside of his left foot inside the area.
Two minutes after taking the corner that became the final goal of Egypt’s victory, Salah was replaced and the BC Place stadium in Vancouver collapsed and bid him farewell with a standing ovation.
