Mohamed Salah punches Egypt's ticket to AFCON knockout rounds

A World Cup preview

This fixture was AFCON 2025's first all-World Cup matchup: Both Egypt and South Africa are set to participate in the 2026 tournament, and they looked like it from the opening whistle.

"We knew it would not be an easy match against South Africa," said Egypt coach Hossam Hassan after the game. "This match felt like a final."

Egypt will face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in its 2026 World Cup group. South Africa will face Mexico, South Korea and the winner of a European play-in match (likely Denmark). South Africa will have the honor of opening the tournament against Mexico in Mexico City; it will be a perfect reverse of the opening fixture of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa hosted Mexico in Johannesburg.

The Salah show

Salah has had a difficult winter: He fell out of favor with coach Arne Slot at Liverpool and tumbled out of the team's starting 11. Salah, feeling understandably betrayed after his countless strong seasons with the club, couldn't hide his disappointment. 

"I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," Salah said. "Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus."

When Salah left Liverpool to lead Egypt through AFCON, plenty of fans wondered if he'd be physically — and mentally — up to the task. This match felt like an answer in the affirmative. South Africa pressed Egypt with intent, but Salah was able to marshal his team through the worst of it. Better yet, he was able to find the back of the net when it counted ... something he's struggled mightily with at Liverpool this season.

One team, one goal

Egypt has dominated African soccer for decades, but it hasn't won AFCON since it took down Ghana in 2010. That means that Salah, despite being one of Africa's greatest players, has never won Africa's greatest prize.

2025 could change that. Salah looks sharp, motivated and eager to put his Liverpool struggles behind him. He's scored two decisive goals in two games for the Pharaohs thus far, and crucially, he's got a solid team behind him ready to add more.

"We have outstanding talent on the current squad. There are elite players like Mo Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, along with top performers in the Egyptian league — Trezeguet, Emam Ashour, Zizo and many others," said Egypt midfielder Marwan Attia. "...Everyone is working tirelessly to go as far as possible and capture the title."

With this tight win over World Cup-bound South Africa, Egypt is one massive step closer to making it happen.

Egypt will close out its AFCON group stage against Angola on Monday.