Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacSAT, SEP 12, 2026✉ Write innew

Sportsinator

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World CupFinal · Full Time21 Jun, 2026

EgyptvsNew Zealand

EGY 3/NZL 1

FS1/Tele/FOX OneBC Place
Things to say

Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place to bounce back in the group.

01
opener
Egypt took it 3-1 over New Zealand. The Kiwis nicked one back but it was never really in doubt. Salah and company were just a level above.
02
key player
Salah was everywhere — five shots on his own. When he's pulling the strings like that, Egypt are a different team.
03
hot take
Honestly New Zealand made it respectable. Crocombe pulled off four saves or that's a proper paddling, four or five nil.
04
deep cut
Finn Surman put in 12 defensive interventions for the Kiwis — kid was the only one holding the back line together all night.
05
exit
Egypt are right back in the mix now at 1-1. Group's wide open heading into the final round.
The recap

Egypt rolled into BC Place and handed New Zealand a 3-1 paddling to grab their first three points of the tournament. Salah ran the show, peppering the goal with five shots and dragging the Kiwis all over the pitch.

New Zealand keeper Max Crocombe kept it from getting truly ugly with four saves, but the back line couldn't cope. The Kiwis got one back to avoid the clean sheet, but this was Egypt's afternoon from the off.

More from21 Jun, 2026browse that day’s box scores →