Pyramids FC Defeat Auckland City 3-0 Cairo Intercontinental Cup

Egypt's Pyramids FC dominated New Zealand's Auckland City FC with a 3-0 victory at Cairo's 30 June Stadium in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, marking the club's first official match against a non-African team and a significant milestone for Egyptian football. Walid El-Karti opened the scoring early, followed by goals from substitute Marwan Hamdy and Mostafa Ziko, who sealed the win and helped Pyramids secure a $1 million prize. Despite spirited efforts and several saves by Auckland's goalkeeper Nathan Garrow, the New Zealand team struggled against the relentless pressure and quality of the African champions. Auckland City captain Mario Ilich praised his team's effort while acknowledging Pyramids' superior play and the importance of the experience gained. The win sets up Pyramids for a high-stakes second-round match against Asian champions Al Ahli Jeddah in Jeddah, with the winner advancing to face clubs like Cruz Azul or the South American champion, and potentially European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Club executives view this tournament as a historic opportunity to elevate Pyramids and Egyptian football on the world stage and prepare for future international competitions like the 2029 Club World Cup.