Group G Matchday 2: Egypt End a 92-Year Wait, Belgium Survive a Red Card
Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for their first ever World Cup win as Belgium and Iran played out a 10-man stalemate. Group G's Last Man Standing picture, explained.
22 June 2026
Group G has gone from messy to genuinely brilliant. After Belgium and Egypt drew on Matchday 1 and Iran-New Zealand finished 2-2, Matchday 2 produced the group's first win, its first red card, and one of the stories of the tournament so far.
Egypt 3-1 New Zealand, Vancouver
Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1, ending a 92-year wait for a first ever FIFA World Cup victory. Finn Surman put the All Whites ahead after 15 minutes, but Mostafa Zico levelled before half time, Salah made it 2-1 in the 67th, and Trezeguet added a third late on. Egypt go top of Group G.
For Last Man Standing pools, this is the result that punishes anyone who wrote Egypt off after the Belgium draw. They were the long-shot nobody trusted in week one and the team with all the momentum in week two. New Zealand, back at a World Cup for the first time in 16 years, leave with nothing but a respectable account of themselves against a side now playing with real confidence.
Belgium 0-0 Iran, Los Angeles
Iran's veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves to hold Belgium to a goalless draw, despite Belgium dominating possession at 70% and racking up 1.82 expected goals. The game turned in the 66th minute when Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi, leaving Belgium to play the final 25 minutes with ten men. Iran move level with Belgium on two points but go top on goal difference.
This is the second draw in two games for both sides, and the LMS read is straightforward: neither team has looked like a banker pick once, let alone twice. If you're holding Belgium in reserve for a "safe" round, this group is telling you that safety isn't on the menu.
Where Group G stands
Egypt lead on four points after a draw and a win, with Iran and Belgium level on two points apiece and New Zealand bottom on one. The final matchday pits Belgium against New Zealand and Egypt against Iran — a winner-takes-top-spot match that could decide who tops the group outright. Anyone with picks left in this group should treat all four teams as live, not safe.
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