New Zealand fall to Egypt at FIFA World Cup
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
New Zealand have suffered their first defeat at a FIFA World Cup since 1982, losing 3-1 to Egypt in their second Group G fixture at FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver.
Finn Surman’s first half header had New Zealand on course for a first ever win at the World Cup, but they couldn’t hold on to their lead, as Egypt scored three second half goals to steal a first World Cup win of their own.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The 22-year-old Surman rose high to be the defence from the Tim Payne corner set piece to header home.
The result leaves the All Whites at the bottom of Group G on a point, whilst Egypt soar to the top with four points, and on the verge of progression to the knockout stages for the first time.
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley named an unchanged starting line-up, and it was the All Whites who came out quicker, replicating the same positive approach that had seen them score twice against Iran in their opener.
Liberato Cacace set up Sapreet Singh at the top of the box inside the first seven minutes, but the latter turned and hooked an effort wide of the right post. Looking for his third goal of the tournament, Elijah Just also forced a save from Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir at his near post soon after.
New Zealand’s nous from dead-ball situations came to the fore for the opening goal in the 15th minute, Payne’s corner delivery finding the head of unmarked Surman at the edge of the penalty box, who nodded the ball into the top of the net to give the All Whites the lead, and send the travelling New Zealand fans into delirium.
In doing so, Surman became just the sixth Kiwi to score at a World Cup, and only the second defender after Winston Reid against Slovakia in 2010.
Salah’s only sight of goal for Egypt in the first half was a direct free kick he placed wide of the left post, as New Zealand led at half-time in a FIFA World Cup match for the first time.
Callum McCowatt had a golden opportunity to double the All Whites lead after the break, forcing Shoebir to tip over the crossbar after a perfectly weighted delivery into the box from Stamenic off the left flank.
That gave the kick the Pharaohs needed, and they exploded into gear, scoring two goals in nine minutes to flip the contest on its head.
Mostafa Zico got the equaliser in the 58th minute, throwing his head at a delivery into the box from Mohamed Hany. Egypt’s captain and second-highest goalscorer of all time, Mohamed Salah, then made his mark.
He combined with Zico down the right wing, before cutting inside and firing the ball past Max Crocombe to give Egypt the lead in the 67th minute. It proved a dagger blow for the All Whites, who never recovered.
Trezeguet made sure of the three points for the Pharaohs in the 82nd minute, Salah fizzing a corner delivery into the near post for the substitute to head into the bottom-left corner unmarked in front of goal.
New Zealand’s chances of advancing to the Round of 32 haven’t been exitinguished yet, but they will need to defeat Belgium in their final group game in Vancouver on Saturday NZT to have any hope of progressing.
New Zealand: 1 (Finn SURMAN 15’)
Egypt: 3 (Mostafa ZICO 58’, Mohamed SALAH 67’, TREZEGUET 82’)