Mo Salah made history for Egypt by scoring the opening goal in their World Cup match against New Zealand, marking the Pharaohs' first-ever win in a World Cup match with a final score of 3-1. This victory not only secured Egypt's progression to the last 32 but also brought Salah within one goal of equaling Hossam Hassan as the nation's all-time top scorer.

Following the match, Salah expressed the significance of this achievement:

In years to come, we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history.

Despite his success, Salah's international career has been filled with near misses, including failing to win the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) since 2010. As noted by journalist Saher Ahmed, although Salah is hailed as Egypt's best player, comparisons with past stars like Mohamed Aboutrika persist, especially given their respective national team achievements.

This World Cup is particularly poignant for Salah, potentially marking his last appearance on this stage. He contributed significantly with a goal and assists in earlier matches. However, concerns arose when he left the field against Iran due to a hamstring issue, prompting fears about his participation.

Salah's recent training sessions show promise, as he has been seen actively participating. With a spot in the last 16 on the line, his pursuit of Hassan’s record and the team's aspirations remain paramount. The upcoming match against the Socceroos is seen as both a challenge and a historic milestone for Egypt, regardless of the outcome.