Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for first World Cup win

Salah scores as Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for first World Cup winEgypt rallied from a goal down at halftime to turn the game on its head and strengthen their case for the knockouts.Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the tournament as part of a second-half flurry to deliver Egypt their first-ever World Cup victory, 3-1, over New Zealand in Vancouver.Both Salah and Mostafa Zico bagged a goal and an assist apiece as Egypt rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit and took over first place in Group G on Sunday. Trezeguet scored Egypt’s third goal for late insurance.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Paraguay’s Almiron, sent off for covering his mouth, faces uncertain futurelist 2 of 4Egypt coach denies Salah rift as Pharaohs seek first World Cup winlist 3 of 4World Cup knockouts: Who has made it to the round of 32 stage?list 4 of 4World Cup: Messi back in action as Argentina take on Austria in Dallasend of listSalah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute, to the delight of the red-clad Pharaohs fans in the sellout crowd at BC Place, Vancouver.When Salah was substituted in the 85th minute, he was treated to a standing ovation.The first three matches of Group G ended in draws, including Belgium and Iran posting a scoreless tie earlier on Sunday, leaving the group open for the taking. New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) thought they were on that path after Finn Surman’s headed goal off a 15th-minute set piece gave them a lead they held for nearly half the match.Egypt will finish the group stage against Iran on Friday, all but assured of advancing to the knockouts no matter the result. New Zealand, still seeking their own first World Cup win, will take aim at Belgium on the same day in their hopes of advancing.Mostafa Shoubir made four saves for Egypt, while Max Crocombe recorded four for New Zealand.New Zealand earned their go-ahead corner kick when Elijah Just had a strong effort on target and Shoubir sent it out of bounds.