Salah Seals Egypt's First Ever World Cup Win in Vancouver

It was a night Egypt had waited decades for. According to Reuters, Mohamed Salah inspired his country to their first-ever World Cup victory on Sunday, as Egypt overturned a half-time deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver and move to the top of Group G.

Salah, 34, was relatively quiet in the first half as Finn Surman put the All Whites in front. But Reuters reports the winger turned up the heat after the break, scoring once and setting up another goal as Egypt's quality eventually told in a dominant second-half showing.

Sky Sports adds that this summer has already seen Salah assist Mohamed Hany's goal against Belgium, and that the 2026 edition is being dubbed the World Cup of the superstars. On this evidence, Salah is very much part of that conversation.

For the Egyptian players and the fans who travelled to Vancouver, and those who stayed up through the night back home, this result clearly meant everything. As coach Hassan was quoted by Reuters, the stadium felt like home.