Egypt roar back from goal down to see off New Zealand and take control of Group G

Mohamed Salah led Egypt ⁠to their first-ever World Cup victory as they recovered to beat ⁠New Zealand 3-1, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of ⁠reaching the knockout stage.

Egypt, pre-match favourites with Salah and Omar Marmoush spearheading ⁠the attack, were backed by a vocal ​crowd at BC ‌Place. However, slack ‌defending cost them early as New Zealand ‌defender Finn Surman rose to power home a 15th-minute header from Tim Payne’s corner, silencing the sea of red.

Mostafa Ziko met Mohamed Hany’s cross in the 58th minute ‌to head home the equaliser. Nine minutes later, Ziko combined with Salah ​in a quick one-two before the Egypt captain bent in a powerful left-footed finish, and Trezeguet added a third with a superb ⁠header from Salah’s outswinging corner.

Egypt, who drew 1-1 ​with ​Belgium in their ​opener, moved top of the group ​with four ‌points from ​two matches. ​The All Whites, held 2-2 by Iran in their opener, are bottom with one point.