Salah breaks Egypt's World Cup curse with 3-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver
Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and set up a third as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1, securing the country's first win at a World Cup finals after eight previous attempts.
A curse lifted
Egypt had waited 92 years and eight matches for a World Cup victory. That wait ended in Vancouver, where the Pharaohs overturned an early deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 and take control of Group G. The win, Egypt's first in four tournament appearances, lifts them to four points and leaves them well placed to reach the knockout stage.
That would be history.
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley had spoken before the match about the prize on offer. His opposite number, Hossam Hassan, said he wanted to bring joy to people back home. For 45 minutes, it was the All Whites who looked more likely to deliver.
New Zealand strike first
Finn Surman, the Portland Timbers centre-back, gave New Zealand a 15th-minute lead when he was left unmarked at a corner and powered a header past the Egyptian goalkeeper. Egypt, nervous and disjointed, struggled to create chances. Omar Marmoush registered their first shot only in the 27th minute, and Emam Ashour miscued a clear opportunity.
- Kick-off at BC Place, Vancouver
- Finn Surman heads New Zealand into the lead
- Half-time: New Zealand 1-0 Egypt
- Mostafa Ziko equalises for Egypt
- Mohamed Salah puts Egypt ahead
- Trezeguet scores Egypt's third from Salah corner
- Full-time: Egypt win 3-1
Second-half turnaround
Hassan's team emerged after the break with greater purpose. Mostafa Ziko headed in a Mohamed Hany cross in the 58th minute to level the score. Nine minutes later, Salah combined with Ziko and slid a low finish into the far corner to put Egypt ahead. Trezeguet then headed in a Salah corner in the 82nd minute to seal the result.
Salah's evolving role
Now 34 and playing centrally rather than off the right, Salah is being used differently by Hassan. The coach believes the shift increases his involvement, though against a deep-lying New Zealand defence he initially found space hard to come by. A tactical tweak at halftime pushed him higher, and the game turned. Salah is now one goal short of equalling Hassan's record as Egypt's all-time leading scorer.
Group G picture
Egypt top Group G with four points, ahead of their final group match against Iran in Seattle. New Zealand, still winless in eight World Cup outings, face Belgium next. A place in the last 16 is within reach for the Pharaohs, and the thousands of Egyptian fans who filled BC Place left knowing they had witnessed a moment their country had never seen before.
