Mohamed Salah showed his magic once again on Wednesday, netting two beautiful goals to help Egypt qualify for next year's World Cup. His brilliance on the pitch was a reminder of just how valuable he is to the national team.
The Liverpool star first cleverly toe-poked the ball home with his left foot, beating the rushing goalkeeper. He then added a third goal with a masterful volleyed lob in Egypt's comfortable 3-0 win over Djibouti.
Egypt only needed a single point to win their group and secure their place at the 2026 finals in North America. The victory gives 33-year-old Salah a chance to play in his second World Cup tournament.
Chasing That Elusive International Trophy
Despite his incredible success at club level with Liverpool, Salah's international career hasn't brought him any silverware yet. He's been representing Egypt for 14 years now, and time is running out to add an international trophy to his collection.
The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (December 21-January 18) might be his best chance. It will be Salah's fifth appearance in the tournament, and possibly his last opportunity to lift the continental trophy.
Egypt came close twice during Salah's career, reaching the finals in 2017 and 2022. Both times they fell at the final hurdle, losing to Cameroon and Senegal respectively.
The 2019 tournament, which Egypt hosted, seemed like a perfect opportunity. But they crashed out disappointingly in the round of 16. The same fate met them in the last edition in Ivory Coast, where Salah played only two matches before suffering a hamstring injury.
World Cup Dreams and Past Heartbreaks
Salah's World Cup experience has been limited and bittersweet. At the 2018 tournament in Russia, he scored both of Egypt's goals. However, the team lost all three group matches and made an early exit.
Egypt narrowly missed qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In a dramatic playoff, Salah missed a penalty in the losing shootout against Senegal.
For bettors looking ahead to both tournaments, Egypt's chances will heavily depend on Salah's form. While they're unlikely to be among the favorites for World Cup glory, their AFCON prospects look much brighter if their talisman stays fit.
Salah has had some ups and downs with the national team setup. He's previously suggested officials are sometimes intimidated by his star status in Egypt. "I'm not powerful there. And believe me, if I'm powerful there, I could have changed a lot of things," he once told CNN.
His record speaks for itself – 61 goals in 106 appearances for his country. That's impressive by any standard. But unlike his trophy-laden time at Liverpool, his international cabinet remains empty.
With World Cup qualification secured and AFCON approaching, Egyptian fans and neutrals alike will be wondering: can Salah finally add international glory to his remarkable career achievements? The next few months could provide the answer.
