Mohamed Salah Scores as Egypt Beat New Zealand 3-1 for First World Cup Win
Axios (Tổng hợp từ Al Jazeera English)
Mohamed Salah scored his first World Cup goal as Egypt overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver. The victory marked Egypt's first-ever World Cup win and moved them to the top of Group G.
Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah scored his first World Cup goal in a second-half barrage as Egypt earned their first-ever World Cup victory, beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver.
Salah and Mostafa Zico both contributed a goal and an assist as Egypt overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to take command of Group G on Sunday. Trezeguet sealed the win with Egypt's third.
Salah celebrated his 68th international goal with a fist pump before being mobbed by teammates in the 67th minute, delighting the red-shirted Pharaohs fans in a packed BC Place.
When Salah was substituted in the 85th minute, he received a standing ovation.
Group G's first three matches all ended in draws, including Belgium and Iran playing out a goalless stalemate earlier the same day, leaving the group wide open. New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) thought they were on track after Finn Surman's header from a free kick in the 15th minute gave them the lead for nearly half the match.
Egypt will finish the group stage against Iran on Friday, almost certain to advance to the knockout stage regardless of the result. New Zealand, still seeking their first World Cup win, will face Belgium the same day with hopes of progressing.
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir made four saves, while New Zealand's Max Crocombe also made four stops.
New Zealand's corner led to the opening goal when Elijah Just fired a strong shot on target and Shoubir pushed it out.
Tim Payne's corner found Surman in a favorable position. Surman's leaping header beat a helpless Shoubir to put the All Whites ahead.
Egypt had a notable chance in the 35th minute from a direct free kick near the box after Callum McCowatt received a yellow card for a rough challenge. A teammate passed to Salah, but his shot went wide of the left post.
Egypt controlled the tempo and created more chances in the second half, starting immediately when Salah forced a save from Crocombe less than 40 seconds in.
The Pharaohs finally broke through in the 58th minute. Mohamed Hany delivered a perfect pass to Zico, who headed from near the six-yard line, the ball touching Crocombe's gloves before going in.
Salah then took center stage nine minutes later. Zico connected with Salah on the right flank during a counter-attack. He dribbled past a defender into the box and passed to Zico, who back-heeled to create space for Salah to finish with his left foot into the bottom-left corner.
Trezeguet sealed the win in the 82nd minute with another header from a corner. Salah delivered a low cross and Trezeguet, unmarked, headed goalward into the net. It was Trezeguet's 24th international goal and his first at a World Cup.
"In the coming years, we'll remember this as one of the achievements in history," Salah said.
He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the stands: "It felt like we were playing in Egypt. This is a great victory and a great atmosphere."
