Mohanad Lashin #17 of Egypt competes for the ball against Michael Boxall #5 of New Zealand. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
Vancouver: Egypt earned the first World Cup win in their history by beating New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time.
New Zealand players react after the 1-3 loss. Alex Grimm/Getty Images/AFP
Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt's scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver.
The victory puts Egypt top of Group G on four points and needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to move into the last 32.
Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt celebrates scoring his team's second goal. Alex Grimm/Getty Images/AFP
Salah's goal came after he exchanged passes with Zico -- named after the Brazilian legend -- and then curled in a shot with his left foot in the 67th minute.
Salah then provided the assist for substitute Trezeguet -- who himself is named after former France forward David Trezeguet -- to make the game safe with a low header.
"In years to come we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history," Salah said.
He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying: "It feels like we are playing in Egypt. It's a great win and great vibe."
Egypt had trailed the Kiwis, who opened the scoring through Surman's towering header after 15 minutes.
But Zico equalized when he headed in a cross from Mohamed Hany.
Belgium and Iran drew 0-0 earlier in the other Group G game.
The Belgians face New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday.
