Salah inspires Egypt’s historic first World Cup win over New Zealand

Egypt had waited 92 years and four tournaments for a World Cup win. They got it in Vancouver, and they got it the hard way, recovering from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place and take command of Group G.

For more than half the match it looked like the same old story. Finn Surman rose highest at a corner in the 15th minute and powered a header past Mostafa Shobeir to put New Zealand in front, and the All Whites should have made it two soon after. Shobeir spared his side, throwing out a strong hand to deny Callum McCowatt’s flicked header at point-blank range. That save kept Egypt within touching distance, and it changed the game.

Salah turns the night Egypt’s way

The comeback began in the 58th minute through Mostafa Zico, who rose to head in Mohamed Hany’s cross from the right and level the scores. Nine minutes later the moment everyone in the stadium had come to see arrived. Mohamed Salah collected the ball at the end of a flowing move and steered a low finish into the corner, calm and clinical, to put Egypt ahead for the first time. Trezeguet added the third with eight minutes left to make it 3-1 and send the Egyptian end into full voice.

At 34, Salah added another line to a long list. His goal made him the oldest scorer for Egypt at a World Cup, and having set up the opener as well, he became the oldest African player on record to both score and assist in a single World Cup match. He had already supplied the assist in Egypt’s opening 1-1 draw with Belgium, so this was a second decisive contribution in two games from a captain who carries his country’s hopes almost alone.

Group G in Egypt’s hands

The result leaves Egypt top of Group G on four points, ahead of Belgium and Iran, who played out a goalless draw earlier in the round. A first World Cup win at the fourth time of asking, after pioneering African participation back in 1934, now has the Pharaohs on the brink of the knockout phase. Avoid defeat against Iran in the final group match and they are through to the last 32, a stage Egypt have never reached.

For New Zealand, the wait for a maiden World Cup win goes on. Darren Bazeley’s side defended deep and threatened on set pieces, but once Egypt found their rhythm the All Whites had no answer. They take on Belgium in their final group game still searching for the result that would justify a brave campaign.

Egypt will not care about the manner of it. After nearly a century of trying, the scoreline reads as a win, and Salah finally has a World Cup victory to his name.

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