Salah and Egypt make history with first World Cup win

A point from history

New Zealand 1–3 Egypt. Your team has a World Cup win. Not a draw, not a moral victory, three points, and the drought that spanned decades is over (1) (2) (3) (4) (5). Mohamed Salah summed it up afterward: "It's incredible. I don't know how to express it in words. It's a great achievement for all the players, for the staff, so hopefully we can carry on like this in the group, and we can write history and qualify" (1).

A point against Iran now and Egypt are through to the last 32 (1). That is the table. This was not a cautious opener, your team took control and never let it slip.

Salah leads, Zico and Trezeguet deliver

Mostafa Zico scored. Trezeguet scored. Mohamed Hany scored. Egypt put three past New Zealand and Salah was at the centre of everything, pulling the strings in a performance that made headlines across Europe (1) (3) (5). Marca ran with a line that cuts to the core: "It wasn't just about me," Salah said afterward (3). He meant it, too, the goals came from everywhere.

Finn Surman got New Zealand's only goal, but Darren Bazeley's side were never truly in it (6). The Pharaohs dictated the tempo from the opening whistle.

Chris Wood goes quiet for New Zealand

New Zealand's big hope up front, Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, had a difficult afternoon (7). Forest fans watching will have noted it, a performance that raises questions about Wood's reliability when the stage gets big. Vitor Pereira has a striker problem to solve, and this match did not ease it (7).

Just catches the eye in defeat

One New Zealand player who did turn heads: Elijah Just. The Motherwell winger, a known Celtic target, was sharp despite the result and the New Zealand press gave him credit (8). Chris Sutton has talked him up before, Sunday's performance will keep that conversation alive.

Fan-reaktioner

Vancouver's Egyptian community poured into the streets at dawn, and the videos are everywhere. Pogos, flags, a giant inflatable pharaoh, this was release, not just celebration. The scenes on r/soccer capture a fanbase that has waited a lifetime for this feeling. Salah leading the chants only made it sweeter (Reddit).