After a wait that spanned more than nine decades, Egypt’s national team finally celebrated its first World Cup victory this Sunday. The African team beat New Zealand 3-1, in a match valid for group G, with a standout performance from Mohamed Salah, considered the greatest icon of Egyptian football, who managed to overcome the adversities of his previous participation in 2018.
Currently not linked to any club since his departure from Liverpool in May, the number 10 player was responsible for the second Egyptian goal, essential for the turnaround in the scoreboard during the second half of the game in Vancouver. In addition to finding the net, Salah also contributed an assist to Trézéguet, who completed the result with a header.
With the goal scored this Sunday, Salah now establishes himself as Egypt’s isolated top scorer in World Cups. He surpassed the record of Abdelrahman Fawzy, who previously shared the mark, achieved during the 1934 World Cup.
Totaling 68 goals for the Egyptian national team, the striker is just two away from achieving a new historic feat: becoming the country’s all-time top scorer. Currently, Hossam Hassan, former number 9 and current coach of the team, holds this position with 69 goals.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” said Salah after the match in Vancouver. “It represents a huge triumph for the entire squad. I hope we can advance to the next stage, as this victory will be remembered for many years to come. We need to take advantage of the moment today and tomorrow, but with our focus on the next challenge.”
The achievement of Egypt’s first victory in a World Cup, with the decisive participation of Salah, is full of profound symbolism. Considered the most prominent athlete in Egyptian football this century, the captain is now participating in his second World Cup, this time free of the serious injuries that marked his campaign in 2018, which gives the achievement a character of personal overcoming and redemption for the athlete and the nation, which saw its greatest idol shine without the physical constraints of the past, delivering a historic moment after decades of waiting.
At the World Cup in Russia, Salah arrived with an injury to his right shoulder, the result of an incident in the Champions League final, a match won by Real Madrid. Due to the problem, he did not participate in the debut, a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, and was only able to play in the second round, against the host country.
Despite scoring Egypt’s only goal against Russia, Salah showed little celebration on the occasion. His contribution was not enough to avoid the 3-1 defeat, which sealed the early elimination of the African team from the tournament.
After a period of eight years, the number 10 of the Egyptian national team emerged as the central figure in the country’s first World Cup triumph. After frustrated attempts at finishing in the first half, Salah capitalized on a tactical change in the team’s offensive scheme, converting his goal in the second half of the game.
“Salah dedicated himself intensely on the field, and it is crucial to understand that I am the first to encourage him to explore his qualities,” said coach Hossam Hassan, praising the player. “He plays as a striker, but also in other roles. My tactical changes are always aimed at getting the most out of talents like Hassan and Salah. This is how we show our affection for the country and the wonderful Egyptian people. I feel immense pride. How could we even consider not pleasing our fans? It would be impossible to live without achieving this victory.”
Currently, Egypt occupies the isolated leadership of group G of the World Cup, accumulating four points. Iran appears in second position, benefiting from the tiebreaker criteria, while Belgium appears in third, both with two points. New Zealand, in turn, remains in last place.