Egypt's Own Goal Denied Them History, And Sunday's Match Against New Zealand Is Everything For Group G

Oh man, talk about a heartbreaker right out of the gate! The 2026 World Cup Group G kicked off with some serious drama, and for Egypt, it was a gut punch that's still gotta sting. They were SO close to making history, to finally grabbing their first World Cup win ever, but an own goal against Belgium snatched it away. Now, they're staring down New Zealand on Sunday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET, and this game could totally flip the script for the entire group. After all the draws, someone's gotta get a W, right?

The Gut-Wrenching Draw That Still Hurts

Can we talk about that Belgium game? Egypt jumped out with a bang! Emam Ashour netted a goal, and you know who set him up? The legend himself, Mohamed Salah. They were up 1-0, looking good, playing competitive against the 10th-ranked team in the world. Imagine the buzz! But then, a moment of madness. Belgium's Romelu Lukaku put pressure on Mohamed Hany, and BOOM, an own goal. Just like that, it was tied 1-1, and that's how it stayed. You gotta feel for them, right? On one hand, picking up a point against a team like Belgium is huge. On the other, they essentially gave away their first ever World Cup victory thanks to a defensive blunder. It’s got to be a mix of feeling good about the fight, and totally frustrated by the missed opportunity. Meanwhile, New Zealand also played to a draw, a wild 2-2 with Iran, so both teams are hungry for a proper win.

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Can Egypt Finally Make History Against New Zealand?

Now, Egypt, ranked 29th in the world, gets a prime shot to rewrite their World Cup history against 82nd-ranked New Zealand. This is Egypt's fourth World Cup trip, and they've never gotten a win in the big dance. New Zealand is on their third trip, also chasing that elusive first victory. The odds favor Egypt at -180, with New Zealand at +500 and a draw at +310, and the Over/Under for total match goals is set at 2.5. Egypt has beaten New Zealand before, a tight 1-0 win in the 2024 FIFA Series, so they know they can do it. They've been in solid form leading into the World Cup, too, finishing fourth in the Africa League of Nations and even grabbing a draw with Spain in friendlies, plus a narrow 2-1 loss to Brazil. All eyes will be on their legendary captain, Salah, to lead the charge and make things happen on the attack. If they can get this win, it puts them in a strong position, especially with them viewed as second favorites at +290 to win Group G, and +150 to finish second, which is an automatic ticket to the knockout stage. Talk about high stakes!

So, get ready, Seattle fans! This Sunday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET, Egypt faces New Zealand. It's more than just a group stage game; it's a chance for Egypt to secure their first ever World Cup victory and totally change the complexion of Group G. You know we'll be watching!

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