Salah scores and Egypt downs New Zealand 3-1 for first World Cup victory

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night to secure its first-ever World Cup win.

Salah 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.

Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but was not yet assured of a spot in the knockout round.

The Pharaohs will play a decisive game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.

Egypt is making its fourth World Cup appearance after missing the tournament in Qatar four years ago. Salah scored a pair of goals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Finn Surman put New Zealand in front in the 15th minute with a flying header from a corner kick delivered by Instagram sensation Tim Payne.

It was the third international goal for the 6-foot-3 defender, who plays for the Portland Timbers in MLS.

Omar Marmoush laid off a free kick to Salah in the 35th minute, but the effort went just wide and bent into the side netting.

Egypt turned up the pressure after halftime, and Mostafa Zico broke through with the equaliser, finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand to but could not stop in the 58th minute. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer.

Salah took a backheel pass from Zico for his goal, which left him just one strike away from tying his coach, Hossam Hassan, for the national team's all-time scoring record. Trezeguet's diving header wrapped up the scoring for Egypt in the 82nd minute.

Egypt's Hamdy Fathy was substituted late in the first half after suffering an apparent injury away from the ball. He was replaced by Ramy Rabia.

In the opener against Belgium, Emam Ashour scored the early goal for Egypt, but Romelu Lukaku came off the bench and caused chaos in the box, resulting in an own goal and a 1-1 draw.

New Zealand twice took the lead against Iran in its group opener, only to surrender it in a 2-2 draw. Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites.

New Zealand previously appeared at the World Cup in 2010 and drew all three of its matches.

Iran and Belgium played to a scoreless draw earlier in the day in Inglewood, California, leaving both teams with two straight draws at the tournament. New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium.