Egypt authored a landmark night on the World Cup stage, coming from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 and climb to the top of Group G. It was the nation’s first-ever victory at a World Cup finals, and it arrived on the back of a captain’s display from Mohamed Salah, who scored one and assisted another to tilt a tight contest decisively Egypt’s way. New Zealand executed a disciplined first-half plan: play long when pressured, hold the ball when possible, and punish set pieces. That blueprint paid off when defender Finn Surman shook loose from Ahmed Fatouh at a corner and powered a header beyond the goalkeeper to give the All Whites a deserved lead. Rather than panic, Egypt found their rhythm. Nine minutes later, Salah provided the explosive response the crowd craved, bursting down the right, exchanging a slick one-two with Zico, and sliding a cool finish into the far corner. The equaliser freed Egypt to push higher. Salah remained the constant outlet, stretching New Zealand’s back line and drawing defenders out of shape. The decisive sequence arrived late: in the 81st minute, Salah cut inside and saw his deflected effort loop over for a corner. From that set piece he delivered with precision, and substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet darted to the near post to glance a brave header home, flipping the score to 2-1. Chasing the game, New Zealand committed bodies forward and briefly threatened a leveler, but Egypt’s back line—reorganised after Hossam Abdelmaguid was withdrawn with a suspected concussion and a swollen eye—held its nerve. As space opened up in stoppage time, Egypt struck again to seal an emphatic 3-1, sparking a roar that rolled around the stands well into the 10th added minute as fans implored the referee for the final whistle. The result sends Egypt to four points after their earlier 1-1 draw with Belgium, while New Zealand remain on one following their 2-2 against IR Iran. A 0-0 draw between Belgium and IR Iran earlier in the day keeps Group G finely poised behind the leaders. “The next game is very important,” Salah said amid jubilant celebrations, a sober reminder that history has been made—but the campaign has only just begun.