VANCOUVER: Mohamed Salah delivered a landmark performance as Egypt secured their first-ever victory in FIFA World Cup history, defeating New Zealand 3-1 in a dramatic Group G encounter on Sunday.
While Egypt’s result ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup win since their debut in 1934, the night belonged to Salah, who rewrote multiple records with yet another defining performance on football’s biggest stage.
The Egyptian captain found the net in the 67th minute, a goal that carried significance far beyond the scoreline. It took Salah to three FIFA World Cup goals, making him Egypt’s outright all-time top scorer in the competition, surpassing Abdelrahman Fawzi in the record charts.
The strike also extended his remarkable consistency at the tournament, with Salah now recording at least one goal contribution in four consecutive World Cup matches.
On the international front, Salah is now closing in on another historic milestone. With 68 goals for Egypt, he is just one away from equalling the all-time national record held by Hossam Hassan, the current Egypt head coach.
Top Egypt men’s international scorers
- Hossam Hassan – 69
- Mohamed Salah – 68
- Hassan El-Shazly – 42
- Mohamed Aboutrika – 38
- Ahmed Hassan – 33
- Amr Zaki – 30
- Emad Moteab – 28
- Ahmed El-Kass – 25
- Gamal Abdelhamid / Mahmoud El Khatib – 24
Salah’s latest milestone adds to a growing legacy that already places him among Egypt’s greatest ever players, with each appearance on the world stage continuing to push him deeper into the record books.
The victory lifted Egypt to the top of Group G on four points, leaving them needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to secure qualification for the last 32.
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