Mohamed Salah led Egypt to a historic 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand on Sunday as the Pharaohs secured the first ever FIFA World Cup win.
Goals from Mostafa Zico, Salah and Trezeguet overturned an early deficit in Vancouver, ending a wait of 92 years and 25 days for Egypt’s first victory on football’s biggest stage.
New Zealand started brightly at BC Place and deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute. After early warning signs from Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just, defender Finn Surman rose highest from a corner to power a header past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
Egypt responded by increasing the pressure before halftime. Salah and Emam Ashour both came close, while Salah was denied again by New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe moments after the restart.
The match turned in Egypt’s favour midway through the second half. Shobeir first kept his side in the contest with an excellent save from Callum McCowatt’s flicked header before Zico levelled in the 58th minute with a free header inside the penalty area.
The equaliser lifted Egypt, and nine minutes later their captain delivered the decisive moment. Salah finished off a flowing team move with a composed low strike to put Egypt ahead and spark celebrations among the travelling supporters. Trezeguet sealed the victory in the 82nd minute, adding a third goal as Egypt completed an impressive second-half comeback.
The result keeps Egypt firmly in contention for a place in the knockout rounds and marks one of the most significant victories in the country’s football history.
“It’s incredible. I don’t know how to express it in words,” Salah said after the match. “Hopefully we can carry on like this in the group and write history by qualifying. In years to come, it will be remembered as one of the best achievements in Egyptian football.”
Goalkeeper Shobeir also reflected on the significance of the moment. “Getting the first win for our country is something I don’t have words for. We’re so happy to have achieved this. It’s the first one for Egypt in our history and, Inshallah, it’s not the last one,” he said.
For New Zealand, the defeat was a painful setback after a strong first-half display. Coach Darren Bazeley admitted Egypt’s improvement after the break made the difference. “We were very good in the first half, but Egypt raised the tempo in the second half and we couldn’t match it,” he said.
For Egypt, however, the day belonged to Salah and his teammates, who finally delivered a victory generations of Egyptian football fans had waited decades to celebrate.
