Salah bends Egypt to historic first World Cup win as New Zealand swept aside

Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to their first-ever World Cup victory on Sunday, as second-half goals from Mostafa Zizo, Salah himself, and Trezeguet overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver and send the Egyptians to the top of Group G.

Egypt, pre-match favourites with Salah and Omar Marmoush leading the attack, were backed by a vocal crowd but punished for slack defending in the 15th minute. New Zealand defender Finn Surman rose to power home a header from Tim Payne’s corner, silencing the sea of red in the stands.

The Egyptians regrouped and levelled in the 58th minute when Zizo met Mohamed Hany’s cross to head home the equaliser. Nine minutes later, Zizo and Salah exchanged a sharp one-two before the Egypt captain bent a powerful left-footed finish into the net. Trezeguet then added a third with a superb header from Salah’s outswinging corner, completing the turnaround.

The result moves Egypt to four points from two Group G matches, having drawn 1-1 with Belgium in their opener. New Zealand, who were held 2-2 by Iran in their first game, sit bottom of the group on one point.

For Egypt, the win carries enormous significance — the country had never previously won a match at the FIFA World Cup, and the victory substantially boosts their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.