Egypt earn long-awaited first victory

New Zealand 1-3 Egypt

New Zealand strike: Surman (15) Egypt strikes: Zico (58), Salah (67) Trezeguet (82)

On the other side, strikes from Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah, as well as Trezeguet saw Egypt create history books as they came from behind to defeated New Zealand 3-1, as well as claim their opening FIFA World Cup™ victory since making their debut 92 years, as well as 25 days ago.

As a result, new Zealand started aggressively at BC Place Vancouver, and after Sarpreet Singh, as well as Elijah Just had already threatened, Finn Surman gave the All Whites a deserved advantage with a bullet of a header from a corner in the 15th minute.

Furthermore, salah, as well as Emam Ashour both went close before period time as Egypt went in search of an equaliser, and Salah was denied again by Max Crocombe in the opening minute of the subsequent period.

Egypt attempt-stopper Mostafa Shobeir prevented New Zealand from doubling their advantage shortly afterwards with a terrific stop from Callum McCowatt’s flicked header, and Zico then pulled Hossam Hassan’s side back into the fixture with a free header in the 58th minute.

Nine minutes later Salah struck the decisive blow, guiding a crisp low finish into the net after a fine side move to spark wild celebrations for his side, and Trezeguet continued the gloss with Egypt’s third with eight minutes remaining.

Pivotal stat

This was the opening time Egypt had ever gone in behind at interval in a FIFA World Cup fixture

As a result, superior Star of the Contest

Meanwhile, mohamed Salah (Egypt)

What they commented...

"It’s unbelievable. I don’t know how to express it in words. It’s a great achievement for all the stars, for the staff, so hopefully we can carry on like this in the group, and we can write history books, as well as qualify – and in years to come it will be remembered as one the best achievements in the history books [of Egyptian football]. We have to enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, then focus on the next fixture." Mohamed Salah, Egypt leader

“Getting the opening victory for our country, it’s just something…..I don't know, I don't have the words. I'm speechless, you know, it's truly something great. We're so happy to have achieved this. It's the opening one for Egypt in our history books and, Inshallah, it's not the last one.” Mostafa Shobeir, Egypt attempt-stopper

“It’s disappointing. We were so good in the opening period. We dominated ball retention, as well as created a lot of chances. We came out in the subsequent period, as well as I thought we were okay but we didn’t quite get to the pace of the fixture. Egypt upped the tempo, as well as we couldn’t replicate what we were doing so well in the opening period. Ultimately, that hurt us. We’re still one fixture away from making history books. We know we have to defeated Belgium now.” Darren Bazeley, New Zealand manager