Mohamed Salah has given Egyptian football plenty to celebrate over the years, and his latest brace against Malawi put his international goal tally back in the spotlight. It also sparked a debate over whether he had finally overtaken Hossam Hassan as Egypt’s all-time leading scorer. While FIFA’s official count says otherwise for now, there is no arguing with Salah’s place among the country’s greatest footballers.
So, let’s take a look back at ten of his most iconic goals, from unforgettable solo runs to moments that made history for the Pharaohs, and let’s dig into the whole controversy.
The controversy over Salah’s international goal tally
Before getting into the goals, there’s a little numbers debate worth clearing up. Following his brace against Malawi, some records put Salah on 70 international goals, which would make him Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, ahead of Hossam Hassan’s 69. FIFA’s official records, however, tell a slightly different story, placing Salah on 68 and Hassan on 69.
So, where do the two extra goals come from? The difference dates back to a friendly against Swaziland, now known as Eswatini, played on March 22, 2013. Egypt won the match 10–0, with Salah scoring twice. Those goals are included in the Egyptian Football Association’s tally, but FIFA does not recognise the match as an official international. This is because former coach Bob Bradley made 10 substitutions, exceeding the number allowed under official international match regulations. As a result, the two organisations arrive at different totals.
There was some confusion around FIFA’s own figures, too. The organisation had initially listed Salah at 68 before the Malawi match, but later corrected his pre-match total to 66. Once his two goals against Malawi were added, his official FIFA tally stood at 68. So, while the Egyptian FA’s count puts Salah at 70 and ahead of Hassan, FIFA’s records still have him one goal behind.
It’s a slightly complicated way to measure a player’s achievements, but it explains why you’ll see different numbers reported depending on the source. Either way, Salah’s record for Egypt is extraordinary, and the debate is another reminder of just how close he is to a historic milestone.
1. Egypt vs Malawi – AFCON Qualifier (November 13, 2026)
Salah saved his best for the closing stages against Malawi, scoring twice in Egypt’s 5–0 win. His first came in the 84th minute, when he rose to meet Ibrahim Adel’s cross with a header. Then, deep into stoppage time, he stepped up for a penalty and casually chipped the ball down the middle with a Panenka. It was a fittingly confident finish to a night that had people talking about more than just the result.
2. Egypt vs Australia – 2026 FIFA World Cup (July 3, 2026)
Salah’s contribution to Egypt’s historic 2026 World Cup campaign did not stop at the group stage. Against Australia, with the match level at 1–1 after extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. Salah stepped up and calmly converted his attempt with a Panenka, helping Egypt win the shootout 4–2 and book a place in the Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history. It was another high-pressure moment, and another time Salah delivered when Egypt needed him.
3. Egypt vs New Zealand – 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 21, 2026)
Salah’s World Cup story had another memorable chapter in 2026. With Egypt trailing, he stepped up in the 67th minute to put the Pharaohs ahead, helping turn the match around in a game they eventually won 3–1. He also played a part in the third goal, assisting Trézéguet to seal the result. It was a landmark night for Egypt, securing the country’s first-ever win at the FIFA World Cup after 92 years. Not a bad way to make history.
4. Liverpool vs Tottenham – Premier League (April 27, 2025)
A title-winning moment deserves a celebration to match, and Salah certainly delivered. In Liverpool’s title-clinching match against Tottenham, he found the net after cutting inside and finishing, sending the crowd into celebration. Then came the selfie celebration with the Kop, a moment that quickly became part of the occasion. It was a goal that captured the joy of the day and added another memorable image to Salah’s Liverpool story.
5. Liverpool vs Manchester City – Premier League (October 3, 2021)
Some goals are remembered for the finish, others for everything that happens before it. Salah’s goal against Manchester City had both. Picking up the ball on the right, he danced past a series of defenders, somehow keeping it under control as he made his way into the box before slotting it past Ederson with his right foot. It was the kind of solo run that makes you rewind the footage just to work out how he got through. Even in a match that ended 2–2, this moment was very much Salah’s show.
6. Liverpool vs Chelsea – Premier League (April 14, 2019)
When Salah cuts inside onto his left foot, defenders usually know what is coming. Stopping it is another matter entirely. Against Chelsea, he made space for himself outside the box before unleashing a rocket into the far top corner. The shot was so clean that even the goalkeeper had little chance of getting near it. Liverpool went on to win 2–0 in a crucial match in the title race, and Jürgen Klopp was quick to praise the finish. It was one of those goals that looked destined for the highlight reels the moment it left Salah’s boot.
7. Liverpool vs AS Roma – Champions League Semi-Final (April 24, 2018)
Salah was in extraordinary form during Liverpool’s Champions League run in 2018, and the first leg against his former club Roma was a perfect example. He opened the scoring with a beautifully curled finish before adding another with a cheeky chip over the goalkeeper. And he wasn’t done there: Salah also provided two assists as Liverpool ran out 5–2 winners. It was a performance that showed just how much of a threat he had become, and one that helped take Liverpool a step closer to the final.
8. Liverpool vs Watford – Premier League (March 17, 2018)
Four goals in one match is impressive enough, but Salah made sure his performance against Watford was anything but ordinary. His first goal set the tone: he took on Miguel Britos, left the defender on the ground, and finished with the kind of composure that made the whole move look effortless. He went on to score three more times, adding an assist for good measure, as Liverpool cruised to a 5–0 win. It was a four-goal haul that announced, yet again, that Salah was having a season for the ages.
9. Liverpool vs Manchester City – Premier League (January 17, 2018)
Salah has never been short of spectacular finishes, but this one deserves a place among his best. As Ederson rushed out of his goal, Salah spotted the opportunity and sent a perfectly weighted shot sailing over the goalkeeper from around 36 yards out. The ball dropped into the net, leaving City’s defence with very little to do but watch. Liverpool won 4–3, handing Manchester City their first Premier League defeat of the season. A long-range lob, a big result, and a finish that still looks ridiculous in the best possible way.
10. Egypt vs Republic of the Congo – World Cup Qualifier (October 8, 2017)
Few goals have carried quite as much weight for Egyptian football. With a place at the 2018 World Cup on the line, Salah stepped up to take a penalty in the dying moments of Egypt’s qualifier against the Republic of the Congo. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, and the ball found the net in the 95th minute. Egypt had qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1990, and the celebrations that followed said everything. This was more than a goal; it was a moment an entire generation of Egyptian fans had waited decades to experience.
A legacy built on unforgettable moments
From long-range rockets and cheeky chips to goals that brought an entire country to its feet, Salah has given Egyptian and Liverpool fans plenty to remember. His latest brace against Malawi added another milestone to that story, even if the exact international tally depends on which record book you consult. Whether you count 68 or 70, one thing is certain: Salah has already secured his place among the most important footballers Egypt has ever produced. And with more chapters still to come, there may be plenty more goals worth adding to this list.
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