* At half-time, I told them we were not going back onto the pitch and then returning to the dressing room after the match unless we were winners
* We could not disappoint these people. We could not break the trust and joy of the Egyptian people after everything we have built over the last two years
Maravi Express
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has revealed that he talked nothing technical at halftime break but an emotional and passionate appeal that inspired the Pharaohs’ to their first win at a FIFA World Cup™ and keep their 2026 edition’s knockout-stage hopes firmly on track.
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Trailing at the interval, Egypt came back stronger after the break to turn the match around and claim a vital three points in Group G.
New Zealand were one up at half-time after Finn Surman’s powerful header gave them a deserved lead from a corner but coach Hassan’s side transformed the match after the break, with Mostafa Ziko equalising before captain Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead with a composed finish in the 67th minute.
Substitute Trézéguet then sealed the historic win with a diving header from Salah’s corner, completing a second-half performance that could change the direction of Egypt’s tournament
The result gives Egypt four points from two matches after their opening 1-1 draw with Belgium and speaking after the match, Hassan disclosed the words he delivered to his players during the interval.
“At half-time, I told them we were not going back onto the pitch and then returning to the dressing room after the match unless we were winners,” said the Egypt coach.
“We could not disappoint these people. We could not break the trust and joy of the Egyptian people after everything we have built over the last two years.”
Hassan admitted the players had been constantly reminded of the responsibility they carry for millions of Egyptians watching around the world: “I kept telling the players throughout the last period that the Egyptian people deserve to be happy.
“They were in the stadium, they were watching in Egypt and everywhere else. Young and old, men and women, they all deserve joy and success. I love the Egyptian people very much and I thank them for their support.”
The former Pharaohs captain was delighted with the response shown by his players, who overturned the deficit with three second-half goals: “I am happy because the players responded and turned the result around in a positive way.
“Whatever the circumstances, we continue working until the last moment,” Hassan, who also paid tribute to New Zealand, describing the Oceania side as a difficult opponent.
“It was not an easy match. New Zealand are a strong team with quality players, physically powerful and with an excellent coach. But the Egyptian players responded well on the pitch. We focused on ourselves and carried out our work.”
New Zealand, who drew 2-2 with Iran in their first match, remain bottom of the group with one point and Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran earlier on Sunday means Egypt now have a strong chance of reaching the knockout stage.
“It’s a great achievement for all the players,” captain Salah said as he celebrated with his team-mates. “It’s a great win. It’s a great vibe. The next game is very important.
From the start, Egypt struggled to find rhythm in the first half, while New Zealand executed their plan with discipline and confidence with the All Whites direct when they needed to be, but also kept possession well enough to frustrate Egypt and prevent Salah from influencing the game.
Callum McCowatt had an early chance when his glancing header forced a save, a warning Egypt failed to fully heed.
New Zealand’s breakthrough came from a corner, with defender Finn Surman escaping Ahmed Fatouh and steering a powerful header into the net.
It was a deserved lead for a side that had looked more organised and more threatening in the opening 45 minutes — with Egypt, by contrast, flat, predictable and unable to bring Salah into dangerous areas often enough.
At half-time, the Pharaohs were staring at another frustrating World Cup outing but the match changed after the interval as Egypt increased the tempo and pushed New Zealand deeper.
The equaliser arrived in the 58th minute through Ziko, who met Mohamed Hany’s cross from the right and headed past the goalkeeper. That goal lifted Egypt and gave Salah the platform he needed to take control.
Nine minutes later, the 34-year-old produced the moment Egyptian supporters had been waiting for. Breaking forward down the right, Salah exchanged passes with Ziko before guiding a low finish into the far corner.
It was a goal of calmness and quality, and it shifted the match completely in Egypt’s favour. After a quiet first half, Salah had finally found space, rhythm and influence.
Salah almost scored again in the 81st minute when he cut inside from the right and saw a deflected effort fly over the bar — but from the resulting corner, he created Egypt’s third goal.
His delivery was attacked at the near post by Trézéguet, who threw himself forward to head home and put the result beyond New Zealand.
It was the perfect ending to Egypt’s best spell of the match and a decisive contribution from their biggest player, Salah, who had not only scored the goal that put Egypt ahead, but also delivered the set-piece that secured their first World Cup win.
For a player who has carried enormous national expectation for more than a decade, this was a night of release as Salah delivers to end Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup win.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czech Republic 1-2 South Africa
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
USA 2-1 Australia
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Beligium 0-0
New Zealand 1-3
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
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