Fifa World Cup: All Whites dudded in Egypt defeat but must focus on beating Belgium

Monday, 22 June 2026

At BC Place, Vancouver: Egypt 3 (Mostafa Zico 58’, Mohamed Salah 67’, Trézéguet 82’) All Whites 1 (Finn Surman 15’). HT: 0-1

ANALYSIS: Coach Darren Bazeley must now shed the conservatism cloak and go for broke against Belgium to revive the World Cup dream after one of the best halves in All Whites history was followed by one of the worst.

The second spell implosion in the 3-1 loss to Mo Salah’s Egypt in Vancouver on Monday need not be a crushing blow.

Nor should any time be wasted bellyaching about being dudded for a clear free-kick award before Salah’s killer second blow.

Yes, Emirati referee Omar Mohamed Al Ali failed to spot a clear foul on Ben Old. True, it was almost as egregious an officiating error as Italy’s conning of Guatemala’s Carlos Batres for a penalty equaliser in the 1-1 draw with the All Whites at the 2010 World Cup finals.

But the All Whites were schooled in the second spell at BC Stadium and, for all their early poise, were ultimately architects of their own demise.

Bazeley’s team may now be bottom of Group G. but the world’s 85th-ranked side can still bid for the playoffs if they beat 10th-ranked Belgium on Saturday.

The focus must be forward.

Bazeley must consider changes to his starting lineup and be bolder with his in-game substitutions.

He left his switches too late against Egypt when there were signs players were both flagging and lagging,

The two-goal defeat was doubly disappointing because a long-cherished first World Cup win looked tantalising in touch for almost an hour.

Finn Surman’s first-half free header put the All Whites on the brink of gazumping Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad and the Black Caps test thrashing of England as the Kiwi sports highlight du jour.

The All Whites’ intricate triangle passing and slick one-twos had them on the front foot. They were quicker than the Egyptians to most second balls.

Salah, the Liverpool legend, and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush scarcely got a sniff in the first spell as Surman, Michael Boxall, Tim Payne and Liberato Cacace produced some doughty defending worthy of the Siege of Torbuk.

But all it did was wake the slumbering Sphinx. Egypt were better thereafter, winning the second phases, dominating midfield and creating sharper chances.

The All Whites failed to learn their lesson from the 2-2 draw with Iran. Egypt’s first goal was a carbon copy of Iran’s second six days earlier.

Cacace, who looked to be struggling after a bright first half going forward, didn’t get close enough to Mohamed Hany, the crosser form the right flank. Surman and Payne - so assured until then - allowed Moustafa Zico to get between them to head goalwards.

Keeper Max Crocombe got a forearm to it, but failed to tip it over the net for a routine save.

The Kiwis had a legitimate beef over Egypt's second goal. Even the television commentators seemed convinced Old had been impeded and All Whites captain Chris Wood was livid.

But kids are taught at First Kicks to play to the whistle. Instead, the All Whites, were caught napping by a quicker counter.

Salah drove at Michael Boxall, played an exquisite one-two with Zico, and steered a clinical left-footed shot into the net for his 69th Egypt goal.

At 2-1 down, the All Whites needed to be bolder, but Jesse Randall, Ryan Thomas and Francis de Vries were belatedly brought on. But the victory hookahs were already being heated in Cairo.

The killer third strike - which might prove costly if this tight-knit group comes down to goals differential, was a free header from a free-kick.

Monoymous substitute Trézéguet scored with just his first touch with the All Whites - set piece specialists - beaten at their own game.

There was so much to admire about the All Whites’ first half - the zip of Eli Just and Callum McCowatt, the confidence exuded on attack and the way Surman stuck his body on the line to thwart Egyptian attacks.

But Bazeley now cannot expect to field the same starting XI for a third game.

Fullback Payne and Cacace had stronger starts than against Iran, but maybe, in the heat of North America, Bindon and Old could provide fresher legs against Belgium.

But the All Whites must not become despondent. Belgium may still have Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard, but they have underwhelmed in draws with Egypt and Iran.

They are upsettable if the All Whites can replicate the first half in Vancouver for 90 minutes.