Salah’s goal and corner assist spark second-half revival as Pharaohs go top of Group G in Vancouver
By Norman Mwale
Egypt secured their first World Cup victory in 92 years with a stirring 3-1 comeback against New Zealand at BC Place, Vancouver on Sunday, a result that sends the Pharaohs to the top of Group G and puts the knockout rounds firmly within their grasp.
It was a long time coming. Since their debut at the 1934 tournament in Italy, Egypt had appeared at three World Cups — 1934, 1990 and 2018 — without registering a single win, collecting only draws and defeats across seven matches. Sunday’s result finally ends that drought and gives a nation of passionate football supporters the three points they have waited nearly a century to celebrate.
The evening did not begin according to script. New Zealand were sharp and purposeful in the opening exchanges, and it was defender Finn Surman who gave the All Whites a deserved lead in the 15th minute, rising to power a header beyond goalkeeper Mohamed Shobeir from Tim Payne’s corner. Egypt struggled to find rhythm in the first half, with Mohamed Salah’s best effort — a curling free-kick from the edge of the area — drifting wide of the left post. Darren Bazeley’s side went into the interval a goal up and looking comfortable.
What followed was a transformation. Coach Hossam Hassan made his feelings clear at half-time, telling his players they would not return to the pitch unless they were genuinely determined to win. Egypt came out a different side. With pace, purpose and growing confidence, they pushed New Zealand deeper and deeper, and the equaliser duly arrived in the 58th minute. Mostafa Zico rose unmarked at the back post to head home Mohamed Hany’s cross from the right, his effort carrying enough power to beat Crocombe despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts.
Nine minutes later, Egypt were in front. Zico and Salah combined in a slick, incisive one-two before the Egypt captain swept a left-footed finish into the bottom left corner — a goal in the trademark style he made famous across a decade at the highest level in the Premier League. It was Salah’s first of the tournament and, in the context of Egypt’s World Cup history, one of the most significant goals the country has ever produced. The travelling Egyptian supporters, draped in red from the stands, erupted.
Salah was not finished. Eight minutes from time, he delivered an outswinging corner from the left and substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet flung himself forward to meet it with a diving header at the near post, sealing the three points and confirming a famous victory. Crocombe, who had kept the deficit respectable throughout, had no chance.
The result means Egypt top Group G on four points, having drawn 1-1 with Belgium in their opener. For New Zealand, it was a painful evening that followed a pattern already set in this tournament — they also surrendered a lead in a 2-2 draw with Iran — and Bazeley’s side must now beat Belgium in Vancouver to have any hope of survival. “It’s frustrating,” the New Zealand coach said. “We played so well in the first half, scored a great goal, created lots of chances and felt comfortable. We went out second half and just weren’t able to recreate the tempo and quality that we showed in the first half.” He acknowledged that Egypt had “come out with a different attitude and upped the tempo”, adding: “That could be us celebrating on the pitch at the end.”
Hassan was understandably emotional after the final whistle, singling out Salah for his influence and revealing he had deployed the captain in a central role to maximise his threat. “At half-time I told the players we were not going back out onto the pitch unless we were determined to win,” he said. Salah, who has now either scored or assisted in every World Cup match he has played, led the celebrations with the fans who had made BC Place feel, in his words, like home. “It feels like we are playing in Egypt, with all the fans wearing red,” he said. “Everybody is happy and excited. I do not know what to say — it is a great atmosphere. In years to come we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history.”
Egypt need only avoid defeat against Iran in Seattle on Thursday to book their place in the round of 32. New Zealand, meanwhile, face Belgium in Vancouver knowing only a win will do.
