After helping Egypt recorded their first-ever victory, a 3-1 triumph over , Mohamed Salah struggled to contain his emotions. Salah struck the decisive second goal as the Pharaohs came from behind to climb to the top of Group G and put one foot in the Round of 16.
“I don’t know how to express it. It is an incredible achievement for all the players and the coaching staff,” Salah said. “We have a chance to qualify for the next round as group winners. As the years pass, maybe the Egyptian people will remember this as the greatest achievement in our history.”
Salah’s goal means he is closing in on becoming Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, with 68 goals to his name – just one away from matching the record held by his current coach, Hossam Hassan. Salah is also the most famous player in Egyptian football history, thanks to his achievements at the highest level of club football with Liverpool in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as his impact in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina.
Could Salah leapfrog his coach in the final Group G game ? For now, FIFA brings you five of the most important goals of his international career.
Egypt waited 92 years for their first World Cup victory. The Pharaohs debuted at the second edition of the tournament in Italy in 1934, then returned in 1990 and again in Russia in 2018, but had never managed to win a match before their memorable meeting with New Zealand.
Salah played a clear role in that historic breakthrough. He set up Zizo’s equaliser with a perfect cross, before scoring the goal that put Egypt ahead after a dazzling solo run. That makes it perhaps the most important goal of his career.
Egypt are one of Africa’s greatest national teams – and the most successful side in Africa Cup of Nations history, with a record seven titles, including three in a row in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Yet despite those achievements, they had only qualified for the World Cup twice before Salah’s career began.
That is why so much hope was placed on “Abu Makkah” to lead Egypt back to the global finals in 2018 – after 28 years of near misses. He did exactly that in the decisive match against Congo DR at Cairo Stadium, in front of 80,000 spectators. Salah opened the scoring, only for Congo DR to equalise dramatically in the 87th minute. Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Salah scored again from the penalty spot, sending celebrations across the entire country.
Salah’s reputation as Egypt’s star right winger placed huge pressure on him at the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. After Egypt had failed to qualify for the 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions, supporters expected him to lead the Pharaohs back to the final. His superb opening goal from the edge of the box against Burkina Faso became one of his standout international moments. The match eventually went to penalties, where Egypt prevailed to return to the final of their favourite competition. Salah also converted Egypt’s fourth penalty in the shootout.
Egypt’s match against Djibouti at the start of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was no ordinary game for Salah, as he netted the first four-goal haul of his international career. His fourth goal that day was especially significant, as it saw him break Mohamed Aboutrika’s record as Egypt’s leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, taking his total to 15 and further underlining his status as one of the Pharaohs' greatest.
Just as qualifying began against Djibouti with a record and four goals, Salah left his mark again against the same opponents later in the campaign. He scored Egypt’s second and third goals in a 3-0 win that officially secured their fourth FIFA World Cup qualification. That achievement also made him, along with Trezeguet and Mohamed El Shenawy, one of the players to represent Egypt in two editions of the World Cup, although El Shenawy has not yet played at the 2026 tournament. Once again, Salah broke a major record, becoming the all-time leading scorer in with 20 goals.
Sources: FIFA Official
