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VANCOUVER — For more than 14 years, Mohamed Salah has carried the burden of Egyptian football expectations. After his 116th international appearance, it was finally time for others to carry him.
On a warm Sunday at Vancouver's BC Place, the 34-year-old netted a goal and set up another to guide Egypt to a stunning 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand, delivering the nation's first-ever World Cup triumph some 92 years after their tournament debut.
Salah was lifted into the air after stepping off Egypt's team bus near the team hotel. He celebrated with dancing as his World Cup lanyard swung around his neck, basking in the cheers of everyone surrounding him. He has accomplished much throughout his career, but this moment was historic not just for Salah personally, but for his entire nation.
Mo Salah dancing on the streets of Vancouver with fans, after he scores to help Egypt win their first ever World Cup game
Is right lad pic.twitter.com/PeYnhUCacE
"It's a great achievement...we just do our best in the tournament to make the people in Egypt happy, and I think they are right now, they are happy and proud," Salah said, grinning at reporters after claiming the man of the match honor.
"I can promise them that we sweat and we run, and we give it our best ... now we are at the top of the group, and we just need to celebrate today and tomorrow with the win, and just focus on the last game."
A Generation of Waiting
The Pharaohs faithful didn't come to play 😮💨🇪🇬#FIFAWorldCup #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/RkyjWSBOMK
The generation preceding Salah claimed three Africa Cup of Nations titles between 2006 and 2010, but the former Liverpool forward, who announced an emotional departure from Anfield earlier this year, hasn't experienced the same level of glory. He has been among the world's elite players for many years—and is undeniably Egypt's greatest of all time—yet that individual brilliance hasn't translated into collective success.
There is now hope that Sunday marks only the first landmark moment of many for Egypt this summer.
"I always give my best for the national team, and try to give my experience to the young players to help them achieve big things," he added. "Today I think it's a very special day ... I told them that we can write the history today ... it will be remembered for years to come. We just enjoyed football, and we'll give it all for our people."
While the match began at 6 p.m. on Canada's west coast, the scenes unfolding in Egypt—where kickoff came at 4 a.m.—were extraordinary. Stadiums were filled to capacity in the middle of the night, before celebrations spilled into the streets. The atmosphere was strikingly similar 7,000 miles away in Vancouver, where supporters reveled well into the night along pedestrianized streets after marching en masse to the stadium hours earlier.
"The secret behind this is that we're Egyptians and Egyptians can do anything," said manager Hamad Hassan in an emotional post-match press conference. "This is something that we live by, and it's a great honor that the fans are chanting and marching ... this is all for you and for the fans and for the people of Egypt."
The Salah Experience
BC Place has welcomed some of football's greatest names—Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahmović, Alphonso Davies and Thomas Müller among them—but few have commanded the arena the way Salah did on Sunday.
From the instant he stepped onto the field, the stadium came alive. When he scored to put Egypt ahead 2–1 after conceding the opening goal, the eruption from the 54,397 in attendance—many sporting Salah's Egypt or Liverpool shirts—rivaled the most unforgettable moments in World Cup history.
"In years to come, we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history," Salah added. "It felt like we were playing in Egypt. It was a great win and a great vibe."
Every time Salah moved toward the ball, everyone from pitch level to the upper tiers rose in anticipation. There was electricity in the air, a sense that Salah was about to produce something extraordinary. He delivered with his goal. After skillfully weaving past two defenders, he linked up with Mostafa Ziko, cut inside and placed a perfectly executed shot into the corner. It was quintessential Salah.
Mo Salah salutes the fans after securing Egypts first-ever FIFA World Cup win pic.twitter.com/l4h5gzH87H
By the final whistle, with the result sealed by Trézéguet's headed finish in the 82nd minute, the Egyptian celebrations were in full swing. Players danced on the pitch wrapped in flags, while Hossam Hassan and his twin brother, Egyptian FA director Ibrahim Hassan, sprinted joyfully with the Egyptian flag before dropping to their knees.
"I wanted this generation to shape its own future, to determine its own path. We also want to continue developing at the level of the national league and across African football," said Hossam Hassan, who now leads Salah by just one goal in Egypt's all-time scoring charts.
"To the Egyptian football community, we needed time to build confidence, to capitalize on our strengths and reflect on our journey to qualification, as well as the hard work of previous generations who tried to create these opportunities."
The Moment Amid the Struggle
After an emotional farewell to Liverpool following 442 appearances, 257 goals and two Premier League titles, there is a feeling that Salah is seeking one final great challenge. His legs, which once tore down the flanks at blistering speed, no longer operate quite as they once did, and dressing room tensions have followed him at Anfield and with the national team.
Sunday's display was also a testament to the fact that, even at 34, Salah remains Egypt's most vital player. He operated in the No. 10 position under Omar Marmoush, stepping away from his customary wide role, and thrived. Five shots attempted, five chances created and the most touches of any player in the opposition box with 13. This was Salah's stage and he commanded it.
His next destination, of course, remains uncertain. Saudi Arabia and MLS are possibilities, and European clubs have also shown interest. But for now, Salah's attention is entirely on the World Cup. Egypt has its first victory, and will in all likelihood advance to the knockout rounds. The U.S. men's national team and Canada are potential opponents, and both will be keenly aware of what Egypt demonstrated on Sunday.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
As Salah put it simply, "what happened today is history."