Mohamed Salah has written his name into Egypt’s World Cup history as their all-time top scorer, after finding the net with a fine finish against New Zealand during this World Cup clash.
Salah took his World Cup record to 3 goals for the Egyptian national team, with two goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and one goal so far in the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian captain was the driving force behind Egypt’s historic 3–1 victory over New Zealand, helping the Pharaohs secure all three points in their bid to reach the second round.
He scored Egypt’s second goal, which set the Pharaohs on their way to a 3–1 win against New Zealand in the World Cup, and laid the foundation for the victory.
Speaking to the media, Salah said that there was a clear change in momentum between the two halves, confirming that the Egyptian team struggled in the first half.
He explained that the shortcomings of the first half were the lack of cutting edge in attack and conceding an early goal inside the first 15 minutes, as a result of the opponent’s attacking quality.
The players’ response in the second half and the correction of mistakes saw Egypt book their place in the next round, after three previous editions in which the team failed to qualify to the second round.
Salah’s record-breaking night didn’t stop there, as he also became the oldest African player at the age of 34 years and 7 days to score a goal and provide an assist in the same World Cup match since at least 1966, which he achieved in the Egypt–New Zealand match in the second round of the first stage of the World Cup.
