Finally, there was a victory in Group G of the World Cup.
After three draws, Egypt managed a convincing comeback against New Zealand and won 3-1 on Sunday night (21) at the BC Place stadium, in Vancouver, Canada.
It was the first victory for the African team in four editions of the World Cup (1934, 1990, 2018 and 2026).
With the result, Egypt took the lead of the group with 4 points, two more than Iran and Belgium, who played a goalless draw hours earlier. New Zealand is at the bottom of the group, with 1 point.
In the last round of the group, which will define those classified in the 32-team phase, Egypt will face Iran and New Zealand will face Belgium, both games at midnight on Friday (26).
In the first half, New Zealand was more effective and managed to open the scoring with a corner kick, at 14 minutes. Tim Payne took the shot from the left side, and defender Surman rose above the Egyptian defenders to head the ball into the back of the net.
The goal came shortly after another incisive move by the New Zealanders, when Stamenic shared with Hany on the left and passed the ball for Just to finish strongly, but goalkeeper Shobeir saved it.
After conceding the goal, Egypt started to press on the sides of the field and had Mo Salah as their main name in the frame, but he was always very well marked.
At 26 minutes, the Africans had a good opportunity, which was saved by goalkeeper Crocombe. Ashour picked up the ball on the left, entered the box and passed to Marmoush. The attacker finished, but Crocombe saved twice.
At 46 minutes, another chance was missed by Egypt. Zico and Salah combined at the edge of the area and the number 11 crossed just enough for Ashour to finish from inside the area. The number 8, however, sent it to Crocombe’s left.
The second half started with full pressure from Egypt, which continued to create chances, but also left spaces for New Zealand to counterattack. So, it was a partial with many chances.
In the first move, Hany received a throw from the defense, advanced to the right and crossed into the area. Salah arrived and knocked. Crocombe defended and gave a rebound, but the defense took it away.
At 6 minutes, New Zealand almost expanded. Stamenic crossed just enough for McCowatt to head backwards into the area. The ball almost covered Shobeir, but the goalkeeper managed to clear it for a corner.
At 13 minutes, however, Egypt equalized with striker Zico, who received his nickname in honor of the Brazilian star of the same name, who played in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. In the play, full-back Hany caught the ball on the right and crossed to Zico’s head, alone in the area. Goalkeeper Crocombe touched the ball with his left hand, but it ended up in the net.
Zico appeared again in the 21st minute, but in a great combination with Mo Salah inside the area, which resulted in the number 10’s goal, his 68th with the Egyptian shirt, turning the score in Vancouver.
The New Zealanders felt the change and the Egyptians took the opportunity to expand with Trezeguet, another player with the nickname of a star, this Frenchman.
In the 36th minute, Salah took a corner from the left at the first post, Trezeguet made a mistake and deflected the ball past the goalkeeper, scoring his team’s third goal.
In the end, the goalkeepers made one more save each, avoiding changing the score.
