In a game with potential implications for the U.S. men’s national team, Egypt stormed late past New Zealand Sunday night for a 3-1 win to seize control of Group G in the World Cup.
The win for Egypt is the nation’s first ever in World Cup play and breaks a deadlock in Group G, in which each of the three previous games ended in a draw.
Advertisement
Egypt’s win combined with a draw against against Belgium in Round 1 gives it four points in the Group G standings with one round of group play to go. It’s now the favorite to win the group.
Belgium and Iran, who have played to draws in each of their first two games, have two points each in the standings.
New Zealand, which had a 1-0 halftime lead against Egypt and a chance to take the top of the Group G standings, falls to the bottom instead with a single point. And its dreams of crashing the knockout round as the lowest-ranked team in the World Cup field took a significant hit.
Egypt a potential knockout-round opponent for USA
The win for Egypt sets up a potential Round of 16 matchup against USA, which has already won Group D. The Group D winner would play the Group G winner in the Round of 16 if both teams advanced past the Round of 32.
Advertisement
There’s a lot that needs to happen between now and then, but a Round of 16 matchup between Egypt and USA is a distinct possibility.
Egypt piles on late to squash New Zealand’s upset bid
Despite repeated first-half chances for Egypt, New Zealand was in control at halftime thanks to a 15th-minute Finn Surman header off a corner kick that found the back of the net.
But Iran’s chances started turning into goals after halftime.
Mostafa Ziko put Egypt on the board with a 58th-minute header to tie the game at 1-1. Team captain Mohamed Salah then put Egypt on top with a transition goal off his left foot in the 67th minute.
Trézéguet added insurance for Egypt with a header off a corner kick for a 3-1 lead, and New Zealand didn’t score again.
Advertisement
Egypt will close group play Friday against Iran and can clinch Group G with a win. Belgium, the initial favorite to win Group G, will seek its first win at this year’s World Cup in the corresponding Group G finale against New Zealand.
Group G standings
|
W |
T |
L |
GD |
Pts. |
|
|
Egypt |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
Iran |
2 |
2 |
|||
|
Belgium |
3 |
4 |
|||
|
New Zealand |
1 |
1 |
-2 |
1 |
