Salah scores on World Cup debut to edge Egypt's all-time scoring record

Mohamed Salah marked his World Cup debut with a goal and an assist as Egypt overturned a first-half deficit to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Group G, moving the Pharaohs to the top of the standings and Salah to within one strike of his country’s all-time scoring record.

Finn Surman’s powerful header put New Zealand ahead before Egypt’s Ziko — named after the Brazilian icon — sparked the comeback with a free header that beat Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe on the hour mark. Eight minutes later, Salah made it 2-1 in trademark fashion: leading the charge forward, exchanging a one-two with Ziko, and firing low with his left foot. Nine minutes from time he turned provider, his corner steered home by Trezeguet to seal the three points and send Egypt two points clear at the top of Group G.

The goal was Salah’s 68th for his country, leaving him one short of the Egyptian record held by current head coach Houssam Hassan. The 32-year-old now has a genuine chance to break that mark on the sport’s biggest stage.

The result carries extra significance given the circumstances surrounding Salah’s club future. He departed Liverpool this summer after the club and player agreed to terminate his contract prematurely, following a public falling-out with manager Arne Slot that soured what had begun as a triumphant final chapter at Anfield — one that included firing the Reds to the Premier League title.

At his emotional farewell against Brentford on the final day of the Premier League season, Salah spoke candidly about leaving. “I cried a lot — I think more than I did in my whole life,” he said. “But it’s very tough to leave a place like this. We left our youth here, sharing everything from the beginning until the end. We wouldn’t even dream of what we had but we did it for this club.”

Salah will become a free agent when the World Cup knockout stages begin in early July, meaning his performances in the group stage represent a live audition for potential suitors. After the final whistle in New Zealand’s defeat, several of their players queued up to swap shirts with him — a reminder that, whatever his club situation, his standing in the global game remains undiminished.