World Cup
Egypt End 92-Year World Cup Curse as Salah Inspires Historic Comeback Victory Over New Zealand
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
For 92 long years, Egypt carried the burden of a World Cup record they would rather forget. On Sunday night in Vancouver, that painful chapter finally came to an end.
Africa’s first-ever World Cup representatives and the continent’s most decorated nation in the Africa Cup of Nations finally tasted victory on football’s grandest stage, coming from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a dramatic Group G encounter.
Inspired by the brilliance of captain Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs not only secured their first World Cup win but also scored three goals in a World Cup match for the first time, rewriting a piece of history that had haunted generations of Egyptian footballers.
The triumph was particularly significant for a nation whose World Cup journey has often been one of frustration. Egypt made history as Africa’s pioneer at the 1934 World Cup but then endured a 56-year absence before returning in 1990. Despite their dominance in African football, World Cup success had remained elusive—until now.
When New Zealand defender Finn Surman powered home a header from a corner kick in the first half, it appeared Egypt’s miserable World Cup fortunes might continue. The All Whites executed a disciplined game plan and took a deserved lead into the interval, leaving Egyptian fans fearing another night of disappointment.
But the second half belonged to Salah and his rejuvenated teammates.
After a subdued opening 45 minutes, Egypt emerged transformed. Their pressure finally paid off in the 58th minute when Mostafa Zico rose to head home Mohamed Hany’s cross, restoring parity and igniting belief among the thousands of Egyptian supporters inside the stadium.
Nine minutes later, the moment the fans had been waiting for arrived.
Salah, still capable of producing moments of magic at 34, surged down the right flank, exchanged a quick one-two with Zico and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to complete the turnaround.
“It is a great achievement for all the players. It’s a great win. It’s a great vibe. The next game is very important,” Salah said after leading his country into the history books.
The Liverpool icon was not finished. In the 81st minute, he nearly added a second goal before providing the corner kick from which substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet glanced home a diving header to put the result beyond doubt.
Egypt’s defence had to withstand late pressure from a desperate New Zealand side, while Hossam Abdelmaguid was forced off with a suspected concussion after suffering a facial injury. Yet nothing was going to deny the Pharaohs their date with destiny.
As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, Egyptian supporters whistled impatiently for the final whistle. When it eventually came, an ear-splitting roar erupted around the stadium.
Players embraced on the pitch while coach Hossam Hassan celebrated by parading around the stadium draped in an Egyptian flag.
“My feelings are the same as those of the Egyptian people because I am one of them,” Hassan said.
“The stadium felt as if we were in Egypt. The fans made it feel as though we were playing in Egypt. I told the players, ‘We’re playing in Egypt.’ The stadium was full, like Cairo Stadium.”
The victory lifted Egypt to the top of Group G with four points following their opening 1-1 draw against Belgium. New Zealand, who also surrendered a lead in their 2-2 draw against Iran, remain bottom with one point after suffering another painful collapse.
New Zealand captain Chris Wood acknowledged the challenge posed by Salah and the Egyptian attack.
“You can’t just focus on one player,” Wood said. “He can pop up with a goal at any time, and he showed that. He’s a good player, but there are also a lot of other boys in that team who create problems.”
With a final group match against Iran looming, Egypt now stand on the brink of another historic achievement—a place in the knockout rounds. For a nation that waited nearly a century for a World Cup victory, the dream suddenly feels very much alive.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Iran’s national team left a heartfelt message in their locker room at SoFi Stadium after Sunday’s goalless draw with Belgium, thanking the city of Los Angeles for its hospitality and expressing pride in their World Cup campaign despite the challenges they have faced, Reuters reports.
The 0-0 stalemate kept Iran’s hopes of advancing from Group G alive ahead of their decisive final group match against Egypt in Seattle.
According to Reuters, the Iranian delegation left a handwritten note that reflected both gratitude and national pride after completing their second match in Los Angeles.
The note reads:
“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast. Thank you, Los Angeles for your hospitality.
“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”
The message, released by Iran’s Football Federation, also paid tribute to the team’s supporters, thanking those who gave their “heart, voice and soul” during the two Group G matches played at SoFi Stadium. It concluded with a call for peace, mutual respect and friendship among nations, Reuters reported.
A handwritten message left by the Iranian national soccer team in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at a location given as Inglewood, California, U.S., in this picture released June 21, 2026. Iranian Football Federation via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS
Iran have endured a unique logistical challenge at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Reuters reports that the team has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament and has had to commute to the United States for matches because of restrictions governing their stay in the country.
The restrictions have also affected the delegation, with several Iranian team officials and staff members reportedly barred from entering the United States.
U.S. authorities have indicated that Iran’s travel arrangements would continue to be reviewed, while discussions on easing some of the restrictions remain ongoing, according to Reuters.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly voiced frustration over the situation, arguing that his side has faced obstacles unlike those encountered by any other team at the tournament.
Despite those challenges, Iran have remained competitive on the pitch. They opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium before earning another point against Belgium on Sunday.
The two draws leave Iran firmly in contention for a place in the knockout rounds, with a crucial encounter against Egypt now set to determine their fate in Group G.
For now, however, the team’s parting message from Los Angeles has underlined a desire to focus on sportsmanship and goodwill amid a World Cup campaign shaped by both football and diplomacy.
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Own goals are rapidly becoming one of the defining statistical features of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Australia’s Cameron Burgess becoming the seventh player to inadvertently score against his own team.
Burgess’s unfortunate contribution came during Australia’s 2-0 Group D defeat to the United States, adding his name to a growing list of players who have experienced one of football’s most painful moments on the sport’s biggest stage.
The tally of seven own goals after the opening rounds of matches highlights an unusual trend at the tournament and has sparked debate among analysts over the reasons behind the phenomenon.
Among the possible explanations are the increased pace of modern football, relentless high pressing, defensive fatigue, and the pressure created by technically gifted attacking players.
Before Burgess’s own goal, six other players had already found the wrong net.
The US have twice benefited from own goals at the World Cup 2026
Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla was the first to suffer the misfortune, followed by Egypt defender Mohammed Hany. Iraq captain Aymen Hussein and Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab also endured similar moments, while Qatar’s Mohamed Al-Mannai and Switzerland’s Miro Muheim completed the unwanted list.
While own goals have always been part of football, their frequency at the 2026 tournament has made them a notable talking point, with several matches significantly influenced by defensive errors and unfortunate deflections.
As the World Cup progresses, teams will be hoping to tighten up at the back and avoid joining a list that no player wishes to be part of.
World Cup 2026 Own Goals So Far
| Player | Country |
| Damian Bobadilla | Paraguay |
| Mohammed Hany | Egypt |
| Aymen Hussein | Iraq |
| Yazan Al-Arab | Jordan |
| Mohamed Al-Mannai | Qatar |
| Miro Muheim | Switzerland |
| Cameron Burgess | Australia |
Quick Facts
- Total own goals: 7
- Latest own goal: Cameron Burgess (Australia vs USA)
- Teams affected: Paraguay, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Switzerland and Australia
- Tournament trend: Own goals have featured prominently during the group stage and have become one of the notable statistical storylines of World Cup 2026.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Norway will look to strengthen their position in Group A when they take on Senegal in a potentially decisive FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter.
Much of the spotlight will once again fall on prolific striker Erling Haaland, who arrives in scintillating form. The Manchester City forward has scored an astonishing 22 goals in his last 11 competitive appearances for Norway and remains the Scandinavians’ biggest attacking threat.
Norway’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage could hinge on Haaland maintaining that remarkable scoring run against a Senegal side renowned for their resilience and tournament experience.
The West Africans have built a reputation as difficult opponents on the global stage and possess an impressive record in second group-stage matches at the World Cup. Senegal have never lost their second fixture in the competition, recording one victory and two draws in their previous appearances.
With both teams eyeing a place in the last 32, the clash promises to be a fascinating battle between Norway’s attacking firepower and Senegal’s disciplined, organised approach.
A victory for either side would provide a significant boost to their qualification ambitions ahead of the final round of group matches.
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Egypt End 92-Year World Cup Curse as Salah Inspires Historic Comeback Victory Over New Zealand
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Own Goals Emerging as an Unwanted Trend at World Cup 2026
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