Pharaohs Make History
Egypt Secures Historic First World Cup Win, Beats New Zealand in Dramatic Comeback to Top Group G
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Key Points
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Egypt’s turnaround was driven not only by goals, but by in-match adjustments: reporter coverage says coach Hossam Hassan made “crucial tactical tweaks at the break” after a “limp first-half display.”
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The match also featured key defensive moments and adversity for Egypt: New Zealand tested Mostafa Shobeir early (Elijah Just’s close-range effort saved), and Egypt were forced into an injury substitution when Hamdi Fathi could not continue, with Rami Rabia introduced. Shobeir then made another important early second-half save to deny Callum McCowatt.
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Beyond the individual game, the Kraken angle is framed as a milestone for the crypto industry: coverage describes Kraken as “the first major crypto exchange to officially partner with FIFA,” adding that the 2026 World Cup will span North America “including the US, Canada, and Mexico.”
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While this specific Egypt–New Zealand match had “no direct crypto sponsorship, token partnership, or blockchain integration” in its coverage, one report adds a football-internal layer: it says Hassan “dismissed pre-match speculation about any rift between himself and Salah,” with Salah’s performance undermining that narrative.
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Separate reporting emphasizes the scale of Egypt’s World Cup breakthrough in historical terms: despite being “record winners of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Egypt had failed to win any of their “eight World Cup matches” dating back to their debut “92 years ago.”
Egypt ended a 92-year wait on June 21, 2026, defeating New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver to claim their first-ever World Cup finals victory. The Pharaohs trailed at halftime but scored three unanswered second-half goals to top Group G with four points, according to BBC Sport.
Mohamed Salah scored the decisive goal — his 68th international strike — while Mostafa Ziko and Mahmoud Trezeguet also found the net. Egypt had gone winless across eight previous World Cup matches dating back to their tournament debut in 1934, Yahoo Sports reported.
Second-Half Tactical Shift Turns the Game
New Zealand struck first. Defender Finn Surman headed home in the 15th minute, exploiting a lapse in Egypt's zonal marking. Egypt looked flat for most of the opening 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir had to make a sharp save to deny Elijah Just from close range and prevent a 2-0 scoreline.
Coach Hossam Hassan made "crucial tactical tweaks at the break," according to Daily News. He moved Mahmoud Trezeguet wider, freeing up space for Salah centrally. The changes worked immediately. Shobeir made another key stop against Callum McCowatt in the 51st minute, then Egypt took over. Ziko equalized in the 58th minute, Salah put Egypt ahead in the 67th, and Trezeguet sealed it in the 88th.
Salah Silences Rift Rumors With Decisive Performance
Before kickoff, speculation swirled about tensions between Salah and Hassan over squad selection and injury management. Hassan publicly "dismissed pre-match speculation about any rift" between the two men, BBC Sport reported. Salah's performance answered the doubters more forcefully than any press conference could.
The Liverpool captain scored in the 67th minute and provided an assist as Egypt's leader on the pitch. Yahoo Sports noted his display "further solidifies Salah's reputation" as the country's greatest-ever player. The chemistry between Salah and Hassan on the touchline after the second goal offered visible evidence that the reported tensions have been put to rest.
A Historic Win 92 Years in the Making
Egypt first played at a World Cup in 1934. They returned to the tournament decades later but could never win. Before Sunday's match, their record stood at zero wins, zero draws, and eight losses across all World Cup appearances. Despite winning the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, global success had always slipped away.
The win at BC Place, in front of roughly 54,500 fans, changes that story entirely. Egypt now sit atop Group G on four points after an earlier draw with Belgium. A draw against Iran in their final group match would likely be enough to secure a Round of 16 berth, according to Press Telegram.
Kraken Crypto Deal Signals FIFA's Commercial Shift
Off the pitch, this World Cup marks a new chapter for FIFA's commercial partnerships. Kraken became "the first major crypto exchange to officially partner with FIFA," with branding active across North American host cities including Vancouver, according to OC Register. The 2026 tournament spans the US, Canada, and Mexico — the largest World Cup ever staged.
While this specific Egypt–New Zealand match had no direct crypto token integration, analysts say Kraken's deal is a milestone. It could open the door to blockchain-based ticketing and fan rewards by the 2030 cycle. Some financial observers caution, however, that the FIFA-crypto relationship is still largely marketing-driven rather than operationally embedded in match-day experiences.
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