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Football superstar Mohamed Salah struck the decisive goal as Egypt came from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 and claim their first FIFA World Cup match win.
In the FIFA Men’s World Cup game in Group G at Vancouver, Canada, this Monday NZ time, goals from Mostafa Zico, Salah, and Trezeguet saw Egypt create history as they fought back to defeat the All Whites 3-1, reports www.fifa.com.
It’s Egypt’s first FIFA World Cup™ victory since making their debut 92 years and 25 days ago.
New Zealand started aggressively at BC Place Vancouver, and after Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just had already threatened, Finn Surman gave the All Whites a deserved lead with a bullet of a header from a corner in the 15th minute, says fifa.com.
Salah and Emam Ashour both went close before halftime as Egypt went in search of an equaliser, and Salah was denied again by New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe in the first minute of the second period.
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir prevented New Zealand from doubling their lead shortly afterwards with a terrific save from Callum McCowatt’s flicked header.
Zico then pulled Egypt back into the game with a free header in the 58th minute, says fifa.com.
Nine minutes later Salah struck the decisive blow, guiding a crisp low finish into the net after a fine team move to spark wild celebrations for his side, and Trezeguet added the gloss with Egypt’s third with eight minutes remaining.
Afterwards, Egypt captain Salah said: “It’s incredible. I don’t know how to express it in words.
“It’s a great achievement for all the players, for the staff, so hopefully we can carry on like this in the group, and we can write history and qualify – and in years to come it will be remembered as one the best achievements in the history [of Egyptian football].
“We have to enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, then focus on the next game.”
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said: “It’s disappointing. We were so good in the first half. We dominated possession and created a lot of chances.
“We came out in the second half and I thought we were okay, but we didn’t quite get to the pace of the game.
“Egypt upped the tempo and we couldn’t replicate what we were doing so well in the first half.
“Ultimately, that hurt us. We’re still one game away from making history. We know we have to beat Belgium now.”
Earlier, Iran and Belgium drew 0-0 in the other Group G match today, says fifa.com.
New Zealand now must defeat Belgium on Sunday NZ time to have any chance of making it through to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup.
