Salah inspires Egypt to first-ever World Cup win

Mohamed Salah scored one goal and assisted another as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 and record their first-ever World Cup win.

The Pharoahs had not won during appearances at the 1934, 1990 or 2018 editions of the tournament and, based on a somewhat insipid first-half performance, it looked as though that long run would continue, particularly after Finn Surman powered in the opener after questionable marking from a corner.

Salah's most significant contribution of the first half was to plant a free-kick the wrong side of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.

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But seemingly after a stern talking-to from head coach Hossam Hassan at the break, the performance from the former Liverpool man and his colleagues improved significantly after it.

Suddenly, their attacks carried menace, forcing New Zealand to sit deeper and deeper - and just before the hour, in a similar position to Surman, the unmarked Mostafa Zico headed in Mohamed Hany's cross.

Within 10 minutes of the equaliser, after a rapid break, Salah came alive when he traded passes with Zico, then swept home - in the trademark fashion he did so often in the Premier League - to give Egypt the lead for the first time in Vancouver.

And it was he who delivered the corner from the left that found substitute Trezeguet, who dived to head past Max Crocombe to put the icing on the cake and put the knockout stages within touching distance.

What the result means...

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