Mohamed Salah Becomes Egypt's All-Time Leading Scorer and Sets His Sights on Another Record
Mohamed Salah has become Egypt's all-time leading scorer. His brace in the 5-0 victory over Malawi took his international tally to 70 goals, moving him past Hossam Hassan. With Egypt's scoring record now his, the forward has another African milestone in his sights.
For 20 years, Hossam Hassan held the record for the most goals scored for Egypt. His 69 international goals had remained the benchmark for the national team's forwards until Mohamed Salah surpassed it against Malawi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Salah entered the match with 68 goals for Egypt, needing two to take sole possession of first place.
Both arrived in the closing stages.
The forward scored in the 84th minute before converting a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time, taking his international total to 70.
His second goal completed Egypt's 5-0 victory and brought an end to a national-team record that had stood for two decades.
How Salah's Brace Turned a Rout Into a Record-Breaking Night
Egypt had already built a commanding lead before Salah got on the scoresheet.
Nasser Maher opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Omar Marmoush doubled the advantage in the 10th, and Mohamed Hany made it 3-0 in the 38th.
Salah also contributed to the buildup for Egypt's opening goal. He held possession, spotted an opening and played a through ball that helped create the move, although he was not credited with the direct assist.
For much of the match, his pursuit of Hassan's record remained unfinished.
That changed in the 84th minute, when Salah scored his first goal of the night to draw level with Hassan on 69.
Eleven minutes later, deep into stoppage time, he converted from the penalty spot to move clear at the top of Egypt's all-time scoring list.
The milestone came in Ali Maher's first match as Egypt head coach, with the Pharaohs beginning his tenure with a five-goal victory over Malawi.
Godfrey Chitalu's 79 Goals: Salah's Next Target
Having claimed Egypt's scoring record, Salah now has another milestone to chase.
The African international scoring benchmark he is targeting belongs to Zambia's Godfrey Chitalu, who scored 79 goals for his national team.
Salah is nine goals away from matching that figure and needs ten more to surpass it.
With 70 international goals, the Egyptian forward has added another achievement to a career that has already established him as one of African soccer's leading figures.
His next target goes beyond Egypt's record books. Reaching 80 goals would put him ahead of the continental mark he is now pursuing.
The achievement also comes during Egypt's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the Pharaohs looking to build on their emphatic victory.
Three Numbers Behind Mohamed Salah's Historic Achievement
- 70 goals: Salah's international tally after his brace against Malawi, making him Egypt's all-time leading scorer.
- 69 goals over two decades: Hossam Hassan's previous record, which Salah has now surpassed after 20 years.
- 79 goals: Godfrey Chitalu's African scoring benchmark, with Salah needing ten more goals to move ahead.
