Football World Cup: All Whites lose 1-3 to Egypt

The All Whites have suffered their first defeat of the Football World Cup, left gutted after surrendering a halftime lead in a 3-1 loss to Egypt in Vancouver on Monday.

New Zealand looked on course for a famous result after producing arguably their strongest half of football at a World Cup, only for Egypt to storm back after the break and leave the All Whites ruing what might have been.

"It's pretty gutting, pretty disappointing on our behalf after such a strong first-half performance, to let the second half go the way that it did," goalscorer Finn Surman said.

"I think we let them into the game a little too much."

The All Whites had stunned Egypt in the 15th minute when centre-back Surman rose highest to head home from a set piece.

The goal was just the third of Surman's international career and capped a memorable moment for the Portland Timbers defender, who had played more minutes than any other All White since New Zealand qualified for the tournament.

"It was a pretty awesome feeling, I can't really downplay that," Surman said.

"It was an amazing moment for myself and my family. It's disappointing we could not carry that out through the game."

New Zealand's 1-0 advantage at halftime marked the first time the All Whites had led at the break in a World Cup match, with coach Darren Bazeley praising his side's opening 45 minutes.

"It's disappointing, because we were so good in the first half," Bazeley said.

"We dominated possession and created a lot of chances."

But Egypt emerged after halftime with greater urgency and quickly swung momentum in their favour, scoring three goals in 24 minutes.

The Pharaohs equalised in the 58th minute when Mostafa Zico capitalised on a cross that was not dealt with inside the penalty area.

Just nine minutes later, captain Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead, calmly finishing beyond Max Crocombe after New Zealand failed to clear the danger.

The decisive blow arrived in the 82nd minute when substitute Trezeguet headed home from a set piece, sealing Egypt's first World Cup victory and leaving the All Whites crestfallen.

"The third goal hurt us because it was from a set play," Bazeley said.

"We could have stayed in the game and looked for the equaliser."

The scenes after the final whistle only heightened the disappointment for the New Zealand camp as Egypt celebrated a result that sent them to the top of Group G.

"This is going to hurt," Bazeley said.

"The first half was so strong, and then we let it go. These guys are out there celebrating and it could have been us."

Despite the setback, the All Whites remain in contention to reach the knockout stages and make history. They meet Belgium in their final group stage match on Saturday, needing a win to assure their place in the round of 32.

"It doesn't get any easier, but we are still one game away from making history," Bazeley said.

Egypt now sit top of Group G as the only side in the group to have recorded a win.

Read how the game unfolded below: