Mohamed Salah delivered a moment of pure drama for Egypt, scoring a 91st-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory against Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations opener. The Liverpool superstar's decisive strike has dominated headlines worldwide, arriving amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny over his club future.
A Last-Gasp Rescue Act
With the clock deep into added time and the prospect of a humbling draw against tournament underdogs Zimbabwe looming, Mohamed Salah produced a moment of magic. The 33-year-old captain shrugged off a defender before driving a fierce left-footed shot into the bottom corner, sealing a crucial three points for the Pharaohs.
The victory spared Egypt from an embarrassing start in their quest for a record-extending eighth AFCON title. Zimbabwe, a nation yet to progress from the group stages, had taken a shock early lead before being pegged back by Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, setting the stage for Salah's late heroics.
Performance Under the Microscope
Salah's arrival at the tournament in Morocco was already under a fierce spotlight following his very public dispute with Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The forward had claimed the club 'threw him under the bus' during a patch of poor form, fuelling rumours of a potential January exit from Anfield.
International media outlets were quick to analyse his performance, with many noting a sluggish start. Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that Salah "struggled to find his rhythm for most of the match," potentially due to a lack of recent playing time at Liverpool. Similarly, Egypt's Al-Ahram observed the forward "had little influence for much of the contest."
However, the consensus was that the talisman stepped up when it mattered most. Spanish publication AS declared "Salah is still the pharaoh," praising his commitment and his precise, match-winning finish. German tabloid Bild labelled the match "Salah madness" and "the Salah show," celebrating the pure drama he provided.
Focus on National Glory
For now, Salah's attention is firmly fixed on international duty. Despite being Egypt's undisputed leader and most celebrated player, the AFCON trophy has eluded him, with painful final defeats in 2017 and 2022. This last-gasp goal against Zimbabwe represents a vital first step in his latest attempt to claim the prize that has so far slipped through his fingers.
The dramatic winner has temporarily shifted the narrative from his club controversies to his national team aspirations. As highlighted by global media, his ability to deliver under pressure for Egypt remains undimmed, even if questions about his form and future at Liverpool persist.
