Last Updated on June 22, 2026
Mohamed Salah ends Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup victory in Vancouver, while teenager Lamine Yamal lights up Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Plus Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona future and an injured William Saliba ahead of France’s clash with Norway.
Salah delivers Egypt’s first World Cup victory in 92 years
Egypt have won a match at the World Cup for the first time in their history, beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver to lead Group G on four points from two games. The Pharaohs had gone winless since their debut at the tournament in 1934, a run stretching across eight matches.
Captain Mohamed Salah, the 34-year-old who left Liverpool after nine seasons, dragged his side back after a scrappy start. New Zealand defender Finn Surman headed the All Whites in front from a corner after a quarter of an hour, but Mostafa Ziko equalised with a header on the hour mark.
Salah then made the difference. He started the move for the second goal, combined with Ziko and slid the ball into the far corner in his trademark style. Mahmoud Hassan, known as Trezeguet, headed in the third from a sharp Salah corner to spark celebrations among the large Egyptian following.
"It felt like we were playing a home game," Salah said afterwards. "I don’t know what to say, but this is fantastic for the whole group. We have to enjoy this, then focus on the next match. Reaching the next round for the first time, that would be truly historic". The result also offered context to recent reports of friction between Salah and coach Hossam Hassan after the striker was substituted in the opening 1-1 draw with Belgium — claims Hassan has firmly dismissed, calling Salah "a fantastic player" who "sets a good example".
Lamine Yamal sparkles as Spain hammer Saudi Arabia 4-0
Spain bounced back from a disappointing goalless World Cup opener against Cape Verde by overpowering Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta, moving top of Group H and all but securing a place in the knockout phase. The 2010 world champions return to action after registering 27 shots without scoring against Cape Verde.
The headline change from coach Luis de la Fuente was the return of Lamine Yamal to the starting line-up. The 18-year-old needed only ten minutes to strike, sliding in at the back post from a precise Mikel Oyarzabal cross. He became just the second player aged 18 or younger to score an opening goal in a World Cup match, following Pele in 1958.
Oyarzabal added two tap-ins to make it 3-0 inside half an hour, before an own goal involving goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and Hassan Al Tambakti completed the rout. De la Fuente withdrew both Yamal and Oyarzabal at the break with the result secure.
"This was very special," Yamal said. "I have always dreamed of playing at a World Cup and then scoring on my first World Cup start. It is a dream come true. At the last World Cup I was still sitting in class". The goal ended a 299-minute drought for Spain at the finals. Defending criticism of his team after the Cape Verde draw, De la Fuente added: "We are unbeaten in 33 matches in a row. Questioning this generation of young players is unfair".
Rashford still in frame for Barcelona move
Marcus Rashford could still join Barcelona, according to Monday’s transfer gossip. The reports keep the England forward linked with a switch to the La Liga side amid an active summer window. You can follow the odds on where Rashford ends up at the best Bitcoin betting sites.
Elsewhere, Paris St-Germain have joined the race for Crysencio Summerville, while Manchester United are said to have no interest in selling striker Benjamin Sesko.
Saliba admits he is playing in pain ahead of Norway test
France defender William Saliba has revealed he is "gritting his teeth" and playing through back problems at the World Cup. The Arsenal centre-back was a key man as the Gunners secured their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.
"I have had some minor problems for several months. I gritted my teeth because it was about the Champions League and the Premier League," Saliba said. "I am not at 100 per cent, but there are many players who are not at 100 per cent — you cannot use that as an excuse". France face Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday, where qualification for the knockout rounds could be sealed before their meeting with Norway. You can follow the latest live scores and fixtures from the World Cup here.
Short from the rest
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan rejected suggestions of a rift with Salah, insisting "I have no favourites" and that the striker "played brilliantly" in the opener against Belgium, which finished 1-1.
New Zealand remain without a World Cup win after their loss to Egypt, with the All Whites featuring at a third edition of the tournament.
Grimsby Town are mourning the death of Alex Hughes at the age of 38. The son of former Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes was the League Two club’s player recruitment lead, having joined in 2025. His family said they were "heartbroken" by the "sudden and unexpected loss".
Spain’s win over Saudi Arabia leaves Uruguay and Cape Verde to meet in their second Group H fixture, with the standings tightening behind the in-form world champions.
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Has Egypt ever won a World Cup match before?
No. The 3-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver was Egypt’s first-ever victory at the World Cup, ending a winless run that began at their debut in 1934 and stretched across eight matches.
How many goals did Lamine Yamal score against Saudi Arabia?
Lamine Yamal scored one goal, opening the scoring in the tenth minute of Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia from a Mikel Oyarzabal assist. Oyarzabal then added two of his own.
Is Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona?
A move is not confirmed, but Monday’s transfer gossip suggests Marcus Rashford might still join Barcelona.
What is wrong with William Saliba at the World Cup?
Saliba has been dealing with back problems for several months and admits he is not at 100 per cent, though he says he is gritting his teeth and continuing to play for France.
Who is Alex Hughes?
Alex Hughes was Grimsby Town’s player recruitment lead and the son of former Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes. He died at the age of 38.