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ARLINGTON, TX — An injury wasn’t going to stop Mohamed Salah from playing, especially with history on the line for Egypt in what could be his final World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward teared up after leading Egypt to its first knockout stage win on Friday, July 3, spending a few moments after the game thanking the fans after defeating Australia 4-2 in penalty kicks. He had just given his country 120 minutes and a penalty kick conversion, despite nursing a hamstring strain he suffered against Iran in Egypt’s final group stage match.
REQUIRED READING: Egypt beats Australia in World Cup penalty kicks thriller | Highlights
Salah wasn’t at his best against the Socceroos, disappearing for large portions of the game. He was named man of the match anyway.
It was only fitting for the legendary attacker to receive the honor in his country’s greatest win.
"Today was one of the best days of my life, making history with this team,” Salah said after the game. “Tried to give it my best and play while I’m hurt, but this is what I do for the country. I’m very proud of the moment and very proud of the boys."
Egypt took an early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a brilliant header from Emam Ashour off the boot of Karim Hafez. But it was held scoreless for the next 107 minutes of regulation, with Australia scoring the equalizer in the 55th minute on an own goal from Mohamed Hany – his second of the World Cup.Salah and Egypt went 4-for-4 on penalty kicks, with Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabia, Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid all converting, in order. Salah took an unconventional approach on his “Panenka” goal, though, full sprinting to the ball before softly chipping it to the center of the net.It was pure aura, to say the least. “If somebody would do it in the game, it would be me,” Salah said on the Fox broadcast after the game. “I am more experienced than others and I just wanted to give them confidence. I decided the last minute. I don’t know if this is my last World Cup or not, but I had to try it."
Egypt had never won a World Cup match before the tournament, only qualifying four times (1934, 1990, 2018 and 2026). It got its first win by defeating New Zealand 3-1 on June 21, which came between draws against Iran and Belgium, which won Group G.
Egypt’s win against Australia, too, gives Salah another chance at making history — not only as he looks to extend his side’s longest run at the World Cup ever, but also as he trails Egypt’s all-time goals record by one, which is coincidentally held by manager Hossam Hassan with 69.
Salah, Egypt’s captain, used the historical element of the game as fuel when speaking to his teammates before the game.“It’s history,” he said on the TV broadcast. “I told the boys before the game, ‘This is the biggest (game) you could play in your life, so just enjoy it.’”Salah wasn’t in top form against Australia, lacking speed and the overall quality many expect from the world-class attacker. But at 34 years old, along with Egypt hardly being a mainstay at the World Cup, he’s unsure if he’ll ever have the chance to compete at another tournament for his country. It would’ve been hard to keep him off the pitch.
“We can’t take it for granted because Egypt – I don’t know how many times we’ve played in a World Cup,” Salah said. “Never before have we qualified in the group stage. Now we qualify, and we qualify for the next round.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mo Salah fights injury, leads Egypt to historic World Cup win vs. Australia
Continue reading...
The 34-year-old forward teared up after leading Egypt to its first knockout stage win on Friday, July 3, spending a few moments after the game thanking the fans after defeating Australia 4-2 in penalty kicks. He had just given his country 120 minutes and a penalty kick conversion, despite nursing a hamstring strain he suffered against Iran in Egypt’s final group stage match.
REQUIRED READING: Egypt beats Australia in World Cup penalty kicks thriller | Highlights
Salah wasn’t at his best against the Socceroos, disappearing for large portions of the game. He was named man of the match anyway.
It was only fitting for the legendary attacker to receive the honor in his country’s greatest win.
"Today was one of the best days of my life, making history with this team,” Salah said after the game. “Tried to give it my best and play while I’m hurt, but this is what I do for the country. I’m very proud of the moment and very proud of the boys."
Egypt took an early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a brilliant header from Emam Ashour off the boot of Karim Hafez. But it was held scoreless for the next 107 minutes of regulation, with Australia scoring the equalizer in the 55th minute on an own goal from Mohamed Hany – his second of the World Cup.Salah and Egypt went 4-for-4 on penalty kicks, with Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabia, Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid all converting, in order. Salah took an unconventional approach on his “Panenka” goal, though, full sprinting to the ball before softly chipping it to the center of the net.It was pure aura, to say the least. “If somebody would do it in the game, it would be me,” Salah said on the Fox broadcast after the game. “I am more experienced than others and I just wanted to give them confidence. I decided the last minute. I don’t know if this is my last World Cup or not, but I had to try it."
Mo Salah converts Egypt’s third penalty! pic.twitter.com/PvSccnYNED
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026
Egypt had never won a World Cup match before the tournament, only qualifying four times (1934, 1990, 2018 and 2026). It got its first win by defeating New Zealand 3-1 on June 21, which came between draws against Iran and Belgium, which won Group G.
Egypt’s win against Australia, too, gives Salah another chance at making history — not only as he looks to extend his side’s longest run at the World Cup ever, but also as he trails Egypt’s all-time goals record by one, which is coincidentally held by manager Hossam Hassan with 69.
Salah, Egypt’s captain, used the historical element of the game as fuel when speaking to his teammates before the game.“It’s history,” he said on the TV broadcast. “I told the boys before the game, ‘This is the biggest (game) you could play in your life, so just enjoy it.’”Salah wasn’t in top form against Australia, lacking speed and the overall quality many expect from the world-class attacker. But at 34 years old, along with Egypt hardly being a mainstay at the World Cup, he’s unsure if he’ll ever have the chance to compete at another tournament for his country. It would’ve been hard to keep him off the pitch.
“We can’t take it for granted because Egypt – I don’t know how many times we’ve played in a World Cup,” Salah said. “Never before have we qualified in the group stage. Now we qualify, and we qualify for the next round.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mo Salah fights injury, leads Egypt to historic World Cup win vs. Australia
Continue reading...
