Mohamed Salah continues to showcase his extraordinary talent, proving that age may not be a barrier for brilliance. While many star players are nearing the twilight of their careers at this FIFA World Cup, Salah reminded us of his capacity to deliver moments of magic, resembling Lionel Messi more than Cristiano Ronaldo as he made history for Egypt on Sunday.
With a goal and an assist in the Pharaohs’ 3-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver, the 34-year-old helped claim Egypt’s first-ever World Cup win in their eighth attempt, propelling them to the top of Group G.
Next, Egypt will face Iran in their final group match in Seattle on Friday, with hopes of advancing to the knockout stage for the first time.
Across the group, Belgium must face New Zealand in Vancouver, relying on their veteran players to sustain their World Cup ambitions. However, while Salah shined for Egypt, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne struggled in a goalless draw against Iran in Los Angeles, suggesting their careers may be winding down.
– As it unfolded: Yamal shines, Belgium blanked, Egypt tops Group G
– Kirkland: Spain’s resurgence with Yamal signals contender status
– Borden: Strategies of World Cup teams against opponent spying
This tournament has been challenging for many seasoned players, with the notable exception of Argentina captain Messi, who netted a hat trick against Algeria.
In a forgettable match, Ronaldo played 90 minutes for Portugal against Congo DR, while Heung-Min Son has struggled to meet expectations with South Korea.
Salah was substituted in Egypt’s opening match against Belgium, leading coach Hossam Hassan to deny any rifts between them. Meanwhile, De Bruyne appeared lackluster in his first game against Salah’s squad.
Heading into their second outings, both Salah and the veteran Belgian players find themselves under pressure after disappointing performances in Matchday 1.
While Salah’s narrative at the World Cup may not eclipse the highlights of his club tenure with Liverpool, it holds significant meaning for Egypt. Historically a dominant force in Africa, having secured an unprecedented seven AFCON titles, they entered this World Cup still chasing their first win, with only Honduras recording more losses in World Cup history. With expectations high for Salah to deliver, all of Egypt craved was a victory, finally achieved against New Zealand.
Contrastingly, Belgium’s expectations have been steep, and their ongoing struggles have taken a toll on their so-called golden generation. De Bruyne and Lukaku bear the weight of these expectations deeply. This World Cup marks their fourth attempt, yet unlike the hopeful squads that ventured to Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018, they seem far from achieving the same success.
This team has witnessed the departures of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Axel Witsel, and Jan Vertonghen, whose replacements have struggled to reach their standards. Thus, De Bruyne and Lukaku find themselves among the aging leaders, clinging to one last opportunity for greatness.
However, they must recognize that their premier chance at glory has likely slipped away. Reaching the semifinals in 2018 remains their peak, and this World Cup has witnessed both De Bruyne and Lukaku appearing far from their illustrious forms.
Lukaku didn’t play in Belgium’s opener against Egypt in Seattle due to fitness concerns—having had limited appearances this season with Napoli. After a disappointing draw against Egypt, Belgium needed a decisive match against Iran, prompting Garcia to give Lukaku a starting spot in Los Angeles. With an impressive track record of 90 goals in 127 matches, he is Belgium’s all-time leading scorer.
Sadly for Lukaku, he didn’t display the needed performance against Iran. He has often been criticized for his style, but this time he looked more awkward and heavy-footed, exiting the match in the 73rd minute without registering any shots or assists, resulting in an xG of just 0.03.
De Bruyne, too, had an uninspiring outing, despite a fleeting opportunity to assist when Maxim De Cuyper squandered a chance created from his pass. His once-reliable performances had already diminished due to ongoing injuries, and it showed against Iran: his runs lacked penetration, and his passing was off target, nearly leading to a significant defensive error late in the match.
Substituted in the 87th minute, De Bruyne appeared drained, but he must regroup for their crucial final match against New Zealand later this week, as Belgium desperately seeks to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Salah, on the other hand, answered the call with a stellar second-half display against New Zealand that eased the burden for his teammates. When Egypt needed him, he delivered: scoring a left-footed goal reminiscent of his Liverpool days and providing an assist on a corner that led to a header from Trézéguet. Salah not only inspired Egypt’s first-ever World Cup triumph but also edged closer to equaling his country’s all-time scoring record, held by coach Hassan. According to Opta, he created more chances (10 total: five shots, five assists) than any player in the World Cup so far.
Belgium will need stellar performances from either De Bruyne or Lukaku against New Zealand, but the sobering truth remains that they might not have the same capability as before.