Salah inspires Egypt to first-ever World Cup win as Pharaohs come from behind to beat New Zealand

Egypt recorded the first World Cup victory in their history, fighting back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver. Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as the Pharaohs went top of Group G.

Ninety-two years and counting, finally over. Egypt recorded the first World Cup victory in their history, fighting back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver and move top of Group G. The Pharaohs had played at the finals before without ever winning a match. Not any more, and it was Mohamed Salah who lit the fuse.

It did not start the way the favourites wanted. New Zealand struck first on fifteen minutes, Finn Surman climbing highest to head home a Tim Payne corner. The Portland Timbers defender's sensational header stunned Egypt and sent the All Whites into the break a goal to the good.

Egypt needed a spark after the restart, and they got one. Mostafa Ziko rose to meet a Mohamed Hany cross on fifty-eight minutes, his free header levelling the scores and shifting the whole mood of the night.

Then came the moment that mattered. On sixty-seven minutes Salah played a sharp give-and-go with Ziko, took the return in his stride and curled it into the bottom corner with that familiar left foot. The talisman had delivered when it counted, and Egypt led for the first time.

There was still time for the cushion. On eighty-two minutes substitute Trézéguet headed home a Salah corner to make it 3-1, and the celebrations could begin in earnest. From a goal down to a comfortable win, and a place in the record books.

The numbers reflected Egypt's control once they found their feet: nineteen shots to ten, the better of the possession, and a relentless second-half push that New Zealand could not live with. Hossam Hassan's side were patient, then ruthless.

The win lifts Egypt to the top of Group G on four points, ahead of Iran and Belgium, after their opening draw with Belgium. New Zealand, who had earned a creditable point against Iran in their opener, drop to the bottom and now have it all to do.

For Kenya and the whole continent, this was a night to celebrate. Africans were squarely behind the Pharaohs, willing Salah and a proud footballing nation to a milestone that had eluded them for nearly a century. Bara zima lilikuwa nyuma ya Egypt, na Salah hakuangusha: the whole continent was behind Egypt, and Salah did not let them down. Our Africa round-one verdict backed the continent's big names to deliver, and the Pharaohs just made history.