Mohamed Salah leads Egypt to historic first World Cup victory over New Zealand
Mohamed Salah scored and provided an assist as Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup victory by beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver on Sunday.
The 34-year-old rolled back the years to guide the Pharaohs to the top of Group G at the eighth attempt.
His talismanic display means the North African side now face Iran in Seattle knowing knockout qualification is within touching distance.
Contrasting fortunes for ageing stars
While the Liverpool legend thrived on the global stage, other veteran players struggled to make an impact during the latest round of fixtures.
Belgium’s golden generation faltered once again as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku failed to break down a resilient Iran side in Los Angeles.
The goalless draw leaves the European outfit desperately needing a positive result against New Zealand to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Pressure delivers historic breakthrough
Despite possessing a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, the Pharaohs arrived at this tournament having never won a finals match.
Only Honduras had previously played more games without registering a victory on football’s biggest stage.
The pressure on their talisman has always been immense, but he finally delivered the elusive result his nation craved.
This commanding performance quietened rumours of a rift with head coach Hossam Hassan following a substitution in their opening match.
Fading hopes for Belgian veterans
Expectations for the Red Devils contrast sharply with those of their Group G rivals following years of underachievement.
The formidable squad that carried high hopes into previous tournaments in Brazil and Russia has largely faded away.
Stalwarts such as Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany are long gone, leaving the remaining veterans with one final shot at international glory.
However, their recent lacklustre displays suggest time may finally be running out for this legendary group of players.
