‘It’s Incredible… We Can Write History’: Salah Leads Egypt to First World Cup Win

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah described his country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup victory as ‘incredible’ after the Pharaohs came from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver.

‘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, and in years to come it will be remembered as one of the best achievements in the history of Egyptian football,’ Salah said.

‘We have to enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, then focus on the next game.’

The historic win came after Finn Surman had given New Zealand an early lead. Egypt responded with goals from Mostafa Zico, Salah himself, and Trezeguet to secure a 3-1 comeback and end a 92-year wait for their first victory on the world stage.

Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who produced a crucial save to keep Egypt in the contest before Zico’s equaliser, was equally emotional.

‘Getting the first win for our country, it’s just something… I don’t know, I don’t have the words. I’m speechless, you know, it’s truly something great. We’re so happy to have achieved this. It’s the first one for Egypt in our history and, inshallah, it’s not the last one,’ he said.

The result lifts Egypt to the top of Group G with four points, ahead of Iran and Belgium, while New Zealand remains bottom with one. Salah was named Player of the Match.