Mohamed Salah delivered the goal that ended nearly a century of frustration on Sunday, as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver and claim the first World Cup win in the country’s history, 92 years after their tournament debut.
New Zealand took the lead in the 15th minute when Finn Surman scored with a header from a corner. Egypt, who had never been behind at halftime in a World Cup under Hossam Hassan, responded strongly after the break. Mostafa Zico equalised with a header in the 58th minute, before Mohamed Salah scored the winner nine minutes later after a fine team move. Mahmoud Trezeguet sealed the 3-1 victory in the 82nd minute with a diving header from Salah’s corner.
The 34-year-old Liverpool forward’s contribution went beyond the result. His goal was his 68th for the national team, made him the first Egyptian to score in two different World Cup editions, and saw him surpass Magdy Abdelghany who scored against the Netherlands in 1990 as the oldest player ever to find the net for Egypt at a World Cup.
The victory finally broke a winless run stretching back to Egypt’s very first World Cup appearance, with the Pharaohs having gone eight matches without a win across four separate tournament appearances before Sunday.
The result moves Egypt to the summit of Group G on four points from two matches, with a final group fixture against Iran to come as they chase a first-ever knockout-stage appearance.
Cape Verde were busy writing their own chapter of World Cup history in Miami. The tournament debutants fought back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium, following their opening 0-0 draw against Spain to remain unbeaten through their first two matches ever at a World Cup.
Kevin Pina gave the Atlantic islanders the lead in the 21st minute with a thunderous free kick the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal before Uruguay responded either side of half-time through Maximiliano Araújo and Agustín Canobbio to lead 2-1 at the break.
Cape Verde, ranked among the smallest country by population ever to reach the tournament, refused to fold, with substitute Hélio Varela restoring parity in the second half to secure a second successive historic point.
The result means Cape Verde become only the third African country in World Cup history to go through their opening two matches of a tournament unbeaten.
With two points from two games, Cape Verde currently rank among the strongest third-placed sides in the competition and head into their final group match against Saudi Arabia in Houston with genuine hopes of reaching the knockout rounds in their maiden World Cup appearance a remarkable feat for a country of roughly half a million people.
Sunday delivered two memorable moments for African football at the 2026 World Cup. One nation ended a long-standing jinx, while another made history in its debut appearance. With knockout qualification now within reach, both teams will focus on their crucial final group matches.