Egypt make history with first-ever World Cup win, top Group G

Egypt's national football team recorded its first-ever World Cup win on its ninth attempt, climbing to the top of Group G. Mohamed Salah and Mustafa Zico each contributed a goal and an assist to power the comeback victory.

Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 in their Group G second-round match at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). Having gone winless in their previous eight World Cup appearances — a record of three draws and five losses — Egypt finally claimed their maiden victory at the tournament. The win moved Egypt to first place in Group G with one win and one draw (four points), while New Zealand (one draw, one loss; one point) dropped to the bottom. Iran and Belgium, also in the group, sit joint second with two draws each (two points).

New Zealand controlled the early flow of the match. In the 15th minute, Finn Surtman headed home a corner kick delivered by Timothy Payne to give New Zealand the lead. Egypt pushed back in the 35th minute with a Salah free kick, but it failed to find the net.

Egypt shifted the momentum in the second half through a tactical adjustment, moving Omar Marmoush to the flank and deploying Salah and Zico as a strike partnership to sharpen the attack. The change paid off immediately, with Zico and Salah each finishing with a goal and an assist.

In the 58th minute, Zico headed home a cross from Mohamed Hany to level the score. Then, in the 67th minute, Salah converted with a left-footed shot after a passing combination with Zico to put Egypt ahead. The goal was Salah's 68th international goal and his third at the World Cup, pulling him to within one of the all-time Egypt scoring record held by head coach Hossam Hassan.

Egypt sealed the result in the 82nd minute when Trezeguet met a Salah corner kick with a diving header to make it 3-1. Salah was substituted off in the same minute.

The victory puts Egypt in a strong position to advance to the round of 32. They face Iran in their final group-stage match on June 27 in Seattle, and a draw would be enough to go through. New Zealand, meanwhile, have now failed to hold a lead in back-to-back matches — against Iran in the first round and again on Sunday — leaving them with just one point.