Egypt Gave Away Their First-Ever World Cup Win, And New Zealand Could Bury Their Group G Hopes

Whoa, hold up. The World Cup just started cooking in Group G, and already things are getting WILD. After a pair of draws to kick things off, Egypt, a team we expected to see fighting at the top, is heading into a do-or-die match against New Zealand on Sunday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET. But here's the kicker, folks, the one that'll make any true fan groan: Egypt was staring down their first-ever World Cup win just days ago, only to hand it right back!

The Crushing Blow Against Belgium

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. Egypt squared off against Belgium, ranked 10th in the world, and they came out swinging. Emam Ashour netted an early goal, set up beautifully by none other than their legendary captain Mohamed Salah. It was 1-0, the dream was alive, and the Emerald City collective was probably buzzing even from afar. But then, the unthinkable happened. Mohamed Hany, under pressure from Romelu Lukaku, scored an own goal, tying the game at 1-1. And just like that, the score stayed put.

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Think about that for a second. Egypt, making their fourth World Cup appearance, still chasing that elusive first victory, literally gave away their chance against a top-tier squad. Sure, picking up a point against Belgium is solid, and they were competitive throughout, which is huge. But when the only goal against you is your own defender putting it in the wrong net? That's the kind of gut punch that sticks with you. You gotta be feeling good about the fight, but absolutely furious about the blunder.

New Zealand Looms and the Stakes Are Sky-High

Now, Egypt, ranked 29th globally, faces New Zealand, who sits at 82nd. This should be their chance to finally grab that historic first win, but the pressure is definitely on. New Zealand is also looking for their inaugural World Cup victory in their third trip to the tournament. The oddsmakers are leaning Egypt's way at -180, with New Zealand at +500 and a draw at +310. The Over/Under for total match goals is set at 2.5.

We saw Egypt beat New Zealand 1-0 in the 2024 FIFA Series, so they know they can get the job done. They've been in decent form, finishing fourth in the Africa League of Nations, drawing with Spain, and only falling 2-1 to Brazil in recent friendlies. But this isn't a friendly; this is the World Cup. With Egypt viewed as the second favorites to win Group G at +290, and +150 to snag second place for an automatic knockout stage spot, this Sunday's game isn't just about three points. It's about redemption, it's about history, and frankly, it's about not letting one awful mistake define your entire tournament.

So, get ready, Seattle fans. Will Salah lead the charge and make sure that own goal against Belgium becomes just a footnote? Or will New Zealand seize the moment and add even more heartache for Egypt? Tune in this Sunday, because this Group G clash could change everything for Egypt's World Cup journey.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.