Salah provided a goal and an assist as Egypt fought back from 1-0 down to clinch a 3-1 victory in Vancouver, taking control of Group G.

Finn Surman's 15th-minute header had put New Zealand – also searching for its first World Cup win at the eighth attempt – ahead, but Mostafa Zico levelled from Mohamed Hany's cross early in the second half.

Salah took control from then on, with the former Liverpool superstar slotting in after a lovely give-and-go with Zico, then delivering the corner from which Trezeguet made it 3-1.

Egypt had failed to win any of its first eight World Cup games, exiting in the first round in 1934, 1990 and 2018, while it is the first African team to come from behind to win a match at the tournament since Tunisia against Panama eight years ago.

At the age of 34 years and seven days, Salah became the oldest World Cup goalscorer for Egypt, surpassing Magdi Abdelghani, against the Netherlands in 1990 (30 years, 320 days).

Egypt knows a point against Iran in its final group game will confirm a spot in the last 32, and they may not even need that. 

"It's incredible. I don't know how to express it in words," Salah said. "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 then, in years to come, it will be remembered as one of the best achievements in the history [of Egyptian football]. We have to enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, then focus on the next one."

New Zealand had more shots (seven) and attempts on target (three) than Egypt (six shots, one on target) in the first half, but coach Darren Bazeley was left to rue the All Whites' drop-off after the interval.

"We were so good in the first half. We dominated possession and created a lot of chances," Bazeley said. "We came out in the second half, and I thought we were okay, but we didn't quite get to the pace of the game.

"Egypt upped the tempo and we couldn't replicate what we were doing so well in the first half. Ultimately, that hurt us."

The All Whites must beat Belgium on Saturday to have any chance of advancing, but Bazeley still believes they can secure a historic progression to the round of 32.

"We're still one game away from making history," he said. "We know we have to beat Belgium now."