VANCOUVER— Egypt made history on Sunday evening at the Football World Cup in Canada. In a thrilling duel in group G The Pharaohs turned a deficit in the second half into a 3-1 win over New Zealand. It is the very first World Cup victory in the 92-year tournament history of the North African country. Star player Mohamed Salah took the leading role with a goal and an assist.
With the victory in the sold-out BC Place in Vancouver, Egypt rises to the top position in Group G with four points from two games. The team of national coach Hossam Hassan is therefore on the threshold of a historic qualification for the knockout phase.
Early knock for Egypt
New Zealand, which is also chasing its very first World Cup victory in history, started the game surprisingly strongly and immediately put pressure on the Egyptian defense. After goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir first managed to save an effort from Elijah Just, the team struck The All Whites in the fifteenth minute from the subsequent corner kick. A tightly measured cross from Tim Payne reached the completely detached defender Finn Surman, who opened the score with a powerful header: 1-0.
Egypt looked dull and uninspired in the first half. Salah did try with a dangerous free kick that just missed the goal, but the New Zealand defense held out relatively easily before halftime. Shortly after tea, the Islanders came close to doubling the score through a Callum McCowatt header, but Shobeir tapped the ball over the crossbar with his fingertips.
Tipping point in the second half
That crucial save heralded the turnaround. Egypt came out of the dressing room with a completely different intensity and completely took over the initiative. In the 58th minute, the Egyptian pressure paid off. Mohamed Hany delivered a measured cross from the right flank to Mostafa Ziko, who headed the equalizer against the ropes from close range: 1-1.
The stadium, which turned red because of the Egyptian fans who traveled en masse, finally exploded nine minutes later when Salah showed his class. After a quick switch on the right, the captain combined with Ziko. With a subtle heel, Ziko brought the ball back to Salah, who found the far corner with his characteristic left-handed effort: 1-2. With his 68th international goal, the 34-year-old attacker also became the oldest World Cup goalscorer in the history of his country.
“The stadium felt like we were playing in Cairo,” said an emotional national coach Hossam Hassan afterwards. “The atmosphere was incredible and that gave the boys the energy they needed after half-time.”
In the 82nd minute, Egypt finally ended the match. From a corner kick by Salah, substitute Trézéguet was able to nod in unhindered at the first post for the 1-3 final score.
Group G is completely open
Due to the previous goalless draw between Belgium and Iran, Egypt is in an excellent position. The Pharaohs A draw against Iran on Friday in Seattle is enough to reach the next round.
For New Zealand, the grapes are sour after a strong first half. To keep their World Cup dream alive, the All Whites on Friday in Vancouver to win against an equally harassed Belgium.
