India, June 22 -- For 58 minutes, the night belonged to New Zealand. The lowest ranked side in the tournament, a nation without a World Cup win in their history, had executed their game plan with admirable discipline and precision under the closed roof of BC Place. They defended in numbers, frustrated Egypt's constellation of attacking stars and through a simple but expertly converted set-piece, held a deserved lead that threatened to become one of the earliest shocks in this World Cup. And then, everything changed.

Two goals in nine devastating second-half minutes turned the contest on its head before a header from substitute Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet sealed a dramatic but convincing 3-1 victory for Egypt, securing their first ever World...