Mo Salah’s World Cup record aligns with a player who has been nominated six times for a Ballon d’Or.

When Egypt’s 2018 outings in Russia are combined with this summer’s tournament to date, the forward has scored three goals in four games, at a rate of a strike every 113 minutes.

It’s a return any player would be pleased with, superstar or otherwise.

Yet the stats tell a misleading tale with the Pharaohs’ World Cup experiences largely amounting to frustration and disappointment as they headed into last night’s clash with New Zealand.

The same can be said too of Salah.

In Egypt’s second group game in 2018, a well-struck penalty by the Liverpool star was merely a consolation after the African side had shipped in three against Russia, the host nation.

Six days later, a ‘dead rubber’ against Saudi Arabia at least started brightly, with Salah racing onto a long ball to lob the keeper halfway through the first period. A goal conceded in each stoppage time, however, brought a third consecutive defeat for the Pharaohs.

Those losses almost inevitably led to negative ramifications, with the forward being critical of the Egyptian FA and even – per Reuters – reportedly giving serious consideration to quitting international football.

Triumphing in tandem

Fast forward eight years and an opening draw against Belgium on June 15 was generally considered an encouraging result for the Pharaohs. holding a team blessed with such illustrious talents as Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

Yet from an individual perspective, Salah failed to shine. Subdued throughout, he was substituted in the 73rd minute.

Which is why his impactful display at New Zealand’s expense is notable, a meaningful subplot to Egypt securing their inaugural World Cup victory. It is the first ever instance, on the world’s biggest footballing stage, that the proud nation, and it’s most famous export, have triumphed in tandem.

It should be noted that this achievement took a while to occur.

In the game’s opening phases, the All Whites were inarguably the better team, creating opportunities from the off and going ahead early on via a thumping header from Finn Surman.

Salah, for his part, was restricted to half-chances and neat lay-offs.

On the hour-mark, Mostafa Zico brought Egypt level, and from that point on the most decorated player on the pitch took control of the narrative, scoring from close range soon after, before assisting with his team’s third.

An intriguing side story to this summer’s tournament is that so many of the big-game players have showed up. This is evidenced by Kylian Mbappe becoming France’s all-time leading goalscorer and Lionel Messi converting a hat-trick that made headlines around the globe. A brace for Erling Haaland in his World Cup bow has also garnered attention.

Mo Salah’s decisive strike in Vancouver means that he too is now added to this esteemed list.

Salah’s performance vs New Zealand in numbers

1 goal, 1 assist

5 shots, 2 on target

5 key passes

23/29 accurate passes in opposition half

23 carries

2/3 successful dribbles