Mohamed Salah scored a brace in Egypt’s 5-0 win over Malawi in CAF 2027 qualifying. With his 70th international goal, a penalty in the 90th+5 minute, he overtakes Hossam Hassan and becomes the national team’s all-time top scorer.
Mohamed Salah took advantage of Egypt’s 5-0 win over Malawi in CAF 2027 qualifying to write his name into the national team’s history. According to ESPN, he scored a brace in the match, with the forward playing for Trabzonspor this season.
He thus moves past the 69 goals of Hossam Hassan, the former head coach and previous record holder, according to Ahram Online. The record was therefore settled in stoppage time, after an equaliser in the 84th minute.
A Panenka for the history books
The record owes much to the closing stages. According to ESPN, Salah first found the net with a header in the 84th minute to draw level with Hossam Hassan on 69 goals, before claiming his 70th from the penalty spot in the 90th+5 minute, with a Panenka.
ESPN also notes that Salah has 123 caps for Egypt since his debut in 2011.
A record that sparks debate
The brace sparked debate on social media. According to Ahram Online, some outlets describe it as a record not ratified by FIFA, because of two unrecognised goals against Eswatini in 2013. The debate over ratification remains open: the sources do not settle the question.
Salah’s continental ranking should also be treated with caution. According to Kawowo, he is third on the list of Africa’s all-time top scorers, with 70 international goals, behind Kinnah Phiri (71) and Godfrey Chitalu (79).
Club form and a first in the Süper Lig
At club level, Salah has scored 9 goals in 11 Süper Lig matches for Trabzonspor, according to ESPN. The same source states that he has become the first player to reach 10 goal contributions in his first 7 Süper Lig matches since records began in 2014-15.
Ali Maher in charge
Ali Maher was appointed head coach on 7 November 2026, replacing Hossam Hassan, according to beIN Sports. Hassan, whose record Salah has just overtaken, is therefore no longer on the bench.
Egypt top Group B with 7 points from three matches, three points ahead of Angola, Ahram Online reports. They opened qualifying with a 0-0 draw against Angola, before winning 5-0 against South Sudan, according to beIN Sports.
Egypt’s next match, on matchday 4 of the CAF 2027 qualifiers, has no confirmed date or opponent yet.