VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — New Zealand defender Finn Surman made a surprise appearance on the score sheet, burying the opening goal in his team’s 3-1 World Cup loss to Egypt on Sunday night.
The loss puts New Zealand at the bottom of the group with just one point, but the team can still advance to the knockout round. If the Kiwis pull off an upset victory over Belgium in Vancouver on Friday while Egypt defeats Iran in Seattle, they can move on with an improbable second-place finish.
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Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) allows a goal to New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) during the first half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) and New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) vie for the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe (1) reacts alongside Finn Surman (16) after losing the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) challenges New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match, n Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Tmothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Zealand carried much of the momentum through the first half against Egypt thanks to Surman’s goal. On a 15th-minute corner kick from fellow defender Tim Payne, Surman tracked the ball and knocked in a header from just outside the 6-yard box.
“It was a pretty big jump,” Surman said. “I definitely felt that it was a good goal, so I’m pretty happy about that.”
The Kiwis held that 1-0 lead into halftime, but a second-half flurry of Egyptian goals took New Zealand from potentially leading the group to sitting in last.
“I think it shows the highs and lows of football,” he said. “That first half, I thought we played really well.”
Surman added that his parents were in attendance for the goal, hoping it was “something they remember and something that they’re proud of.”
Goal-scoring is not generally an emphasis of Surman’s game, having scored just three professional goals on record. His first came with the Wellington Phoenix in Australia’s A-League prior to his move to the Portland Timbers in 2024. He had also scored twice before for New Zealand, most recently in a 2025 friendly.
Surman is one of just four players to have played the entirety of both of New Zealand’s World Cup games so far. Although his goal gave the Kiwis hope early, the backline has struggled, as New Zealand has allowed five total goals in the World Cup.
“We just got to believe,” team captain and starting striker Chris Wood said. “We’ve done extremely well on the world stage already, but we’ve got to believe we can go take it with one of the best teams in the world.”
Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/FIFA-World-Cup
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) allows a goal to New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) during the first half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) and New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) vie for the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe (1) reacts alongside Finn Surman (16) after losing the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) challenges New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match, n Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Tmothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
New Zealand's Finn Surman (16) scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Egypt’s players danced on the field while their red-clad fans celebrated in the stands. The Pharaohs finally got their first World Cup win.
Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night.
He celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute. When he was subbed off in the 85th he was treated to a standing ovation by the sellout crowd at BC Place Vancouver.
When it was over, coach Hossam Hassan and an assistant grabbed an Egyptian flag and ran around the field waving it aloft. The fans cheered and sang long after the final whistle.
“I always give my best to the national team," Salah said. “Today I think is a very special day, with our first win in the World Cup.”
Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but was not yet assured of a spot in the knockout round. The Pharaohs will play a deciding game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.
Egypt is making its fourth World Cup appearance after missing the field in Qatar four years ago. Salah scored a pair of goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Finn Surman put New Zealand in front in the 15th minute with a flying header off a corner kick delivered by Instagram sensation Tim Payne. It was the third international goal for the 6-foot-3 defender who plays for the Portland Timbers in MLS.
Omar Marmoush dropped a free kick off to Salah in the 35th minute but it went just wide and bent into the side netting and Egypt went into the half down 1-0.
“In between the first and the second half, we said it’s a no-go, we are not going to leave this pitch unless we claim the victory for ourselves, unless we make everyone proud and happy,” Hassan said. “I told them, I told the players, I am not willing to withdraw, I am not willing to go two steps back.”
Egypt turned up the pressure coming out of the half and Mostafa Zico broke through with the equalizer, finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand on but couldn’t stop in the 58th minute. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer.
Salah took a back-heel pass from Zico for his goal, which puts him just one away from tying his coach for the national team's all-time scoring lead. Trezeguet's diving header wrapped up scoring for Egypt in the 82nd.
Egypt’s Hamdy Fathy was subbed off late in the first half after an apparent injury away from the ball. He was replaced by Ramy Rabia.
In the opener against Belgium, Emam Ashour scored the early goal for Egypt but then Romelu Lukaku subbed into the match and caused chaos in the box, resulting in an own goal for a 1-1 draw.
New Zealand twice took the lead against Iran in their group opener, only to cede it for a 2-2 draw in the end. Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites.
New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium. The All Whites are still looking for their first World Cup win. But they have not been eliminated yet.
“You just have to believe and be positive,” said veteran Chris Wood. “We're still one win away. We can still go in, beat Belgium and go through. I'm not going to lie, it's going to be very tough.”
Iran and Belgium played to a scoreless draw earlier in the day in Inglewood, California, giving both teams two straight draws at the tournament.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Egypt's Trezeguet (7) celebrates with Mohamed Salah (10) and Marawan Attia (19) after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) allows a goal to New Zealand's Finn Surman, not seen, during the first half of the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush (22) and New Zealand's Finn Surman, right, vie for the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt players celebrate after Mohamed Salah (10) scored his side's second goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Trezeguet (7) celebrates with Mohamed Salah (10) and Marawan Attia (19) after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal with teammate Mostafa Ziko (11) during the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
