However, The Pharaohs were unable to preserve their lead despite creating several opportunities to extend it.
Following a deserved and impressive 1-1 draw against Belgium, the North African side will be hoping to build on that momentum and finally secure their first World Cup victory on their ninth attempt.
Hossam Hassan's tactical approach against Belgium appeared designed to encourage contributions from players beyond Mohamed Salah, who is no longer at the peak of his powers as he was a few years ago.
That strategy could pay dividends this weekend.
Some observers may question the approach, but it makes Egypt less predictable in attack, even if it requires other players to shoulder greater responsibility for the seven-time African champions.
Team News and Match Prediction
After Matthew Garbett was replaced by Logan Rogerson on June 15 due to a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the tournament, New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley has no fresh fitness concerns ahead of this second Group G fixture.
Although Chris Wood failed to add to his tally of 45 international goals against Iran, his two assists highlighted his continued ability to influence matches beyond simply finding the back of the net.
Thanks to Elijah Just's brace in the opening game, New Zealand now have three players who have reached double figures in international goals.
Meanwhile, Port Vale striker Ben Waine needs just one more goal to join Wood (45), Just (11), and Kosta Barbarouses in that exclusive group.
Like New Zealand, Egypt also emerged from their clash with Belgium without any new injury concerns.
As a result, Hossam Hassan has a full squad available for selection against the Oceania side.
Mohamed Salah remains Egypt's leading active goalscorer and is now just two goals away from matching the national record of 69 goals held by head coach Hossam Hassan. He could equal that mark if he scores twice in this match.
However, Salah's performance against Belgium suggested he may increasingly assume the role of creator-in-chief rather than primary goalscorer for the African giants.
If that proves to be the case, Hassan will need stronger contributions from Omar Marmoush, who struggled with his finishing against Belgium, Mostafa Ziko, who was guilty of several turnovers in the opener, and goalscorer Emam Ashour.
