2025 U20 World Cup: Egypt stunned by New Zealand in group stage defeat

Egypt’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2025 U20 World Cup were dealt a major blow after suffering a 2-1 loss to New Zealand in the second round of group-stage fixtures.

The Junior Pharaohs made a dream start at the Estadio Nacional when Ahmed Khaled Gomaa put them ahead in the 5th minute.

Capitalising on a defensive lapse, Gomaa coolly slotted past the goalkeeper to give his side an early advantage and briefly calm Egyptian nerves.

But the lead proved short-lived. New Zealand regrouped swiftly and struck back within minutes.

In the 13th minute, Luke Booke-Smith finished off a sweeping move to level the score, punishing Egypt for sloppy marking at the back.

Just three minutes later, the turnaround was complete.

Tze-xuan Loke unleashed a sharp finish from inside the box to give the Oceania side a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

The second half saw Egypt dominate possession as they desperately sought a route back into the contest.

The Junior Pharaohs pressed high and poured forward, particularly during the closing stages, but New Zealand’s disciplined defending and resolute goalkeeping thwarted every attempt to find an equaliser.

Despite waves of Egyptian attacks in the final quarter of an hour, the scoreline remained unchanged.

Frustration was evident among the players and technical staff as time ran out, leaving Egypt still without a point after two group matches and facing an uphill battle to stay in the tournament.

For New Zealand, the victory marked a milestone.

Building on an already promising start to the campaign, the win gives the team a genuine chance of advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in its history.

The young Kiwis displayed composure under pressure and clinical finishing when it mattered most, earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike.

Egypt, meanwhile, must regroup quickly ahead of their final group fixture.

With qualification now hanging by a thread, the Junior Pharaohs will need not only a win but potentially favourable results elsewhere to keep their hopes alive.

The match in many ways underlined the unpredictability of youth tournaments — where momentum can shift in moments and early setbacks can derail even the most experienced teams.

For Egypt, the defeat serves as a stark reminder that no opponent can be underestimated on the world stage.