Mohamed Salah spearheaded a second-half comeback as Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 on Monday, securing the Pharaohs’ first-ever World Cup victory and putting them on the brink of a historic place in the knockout stage.
Hossam Hassan’s side recovered from an early setback after Finn Surman headed New Zealand into a 15th-minute lead from a Tim Payne corner.
Having twice surrendered leads in their opening draw with Iran, the All Whites suffered a similar fate as Egypt transformed the Group G clash after the interval.
Hassan’s tactical adjustments paid dividends in the 58th minute when Mostafa Zico headed home Mohamed Hany’s cross to restore parity.
Egypt then seized control through their captain. The veteran forward exchanged passes with Zico inside the penalty area before calmly slotting into the bottom corner to complete the turnaround.
Salah was also instrumental in Egypt’s third, delivering a precise corner that substitute Trezeguet powered home in the 82nd minute.
The victory lifts Egypt to the top of Group G, leaving them needing a win over Iran on Saturday to guarantee first place.
Meanwhile, New Zealand, who remain without a win in World Cup history, must now defeat Belgium to keep their hopes of reaching the round of 32 alive.
Cape Verde Hold Uruguay In Miami Thriller
Cape Verde Hold Uruguay as Dream World Cup Debut Continues
Cape Verde's impressive debut FIFA World Cup campaign remained on track after they battled to a 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay in Miami.
Having already stunned many observers with a goalless draw against Spain, the tournament newcomers took another significant step forward when Kevin Pina opened the scoring in the 21st minute. His long-range free-kick slipped through Uruguay's defensive wall and into the back of the net, giving Cape Verde a shock lead.
The goal boosted Cape Verde's confidence, prompting them to push forward with greater intent. However, their attacking ambition created spaces that Uruguay soon exploited.
Maxi Araujo restored parity for the South Americans after heading home from close range. The opportunity arose when Sidny Lopes Cabral unintentionally redirected the ball towards his own goal, allowing Araujo to capitalize.
Uruguay completed the comeback in first-half stoppage time as Agustin Canobbio converted Araujo's low pass from close range, justifying his selection in the starting lineup.
Despite struggling at times against Uruguay's relentless pressing, Cape Verde refused to be overwhelmed and continued searching for an equalizer.
Their determination paid off when a costly defensive error gifted them a route back into the contest. Mathias Olivera attempted a pass across his own penalty area without noticing Helio Varela lurking nearby. The Cape Verde forward intercepted the ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted into an empty net.
Uruguay believed they had secured a late winner through Federico Valverde, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Both sides pushed for victory deep into stoppage time, yet neither could find the decisive breakthrough.
The draw leaves Uruguay second and Cape Verde third in Group H, with both nations sitting on two points and remaining firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 32.
Iran Frustrated as 10-Man Belgium Secure Stalemate
Iran missed a golden opportunity to claim a landmark World Cup victory after being held to a goalless draw by 10-man Belgium.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand delivered a standout performance, making seven crucial saves as both teams recorded their second consecutive draw in Group G.
The match's pivotal moment arrived in the 66th minute when Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card. After miscuing a back pass, Ngoy brought down Mehdi Taremi to prevent the Iranian striker from racing through on goal.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for the remainder of the match, Iran failed to find the breakthrough they desperately sought.
In a surprising twist, Belgium created the better chances after the dismissal, although neither side managed to end its scoring drought.
Iran's disappointment was compounded by the challenges that have surrounded their World Cup campaign. The team has faced significant disruptions since the United States launched military operations against Iran on February 28.
Travel restrictions and visa complications forced Team Melli to relocate their training base from Arizona to Mexico, while head coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly expressed frustration over logistical difficulties.
Backed by strong support from fans in the Los Angeles area, Iran were unable to capitalize against a Belgian side currently ranked 10th in the world.
Belgium's attacking struggles also persisted, with the Red Devils yet to score a goal from open play at the tournament. Their only goal so far came via an own goal in their opening draw against Egypt.
With two draws from two matches, both nations remain in the hunt for qualification, though neither side will be entirely satisfied with the outcome.