Egypt defeated Malawi 5–0 in the third round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice in the closing minutes and setting a new record as the country’s leading international goalscorer.
The win put Egypt at the top of Group B with seven points. Angola were second on four points, Malawi had three and South Sudan had none, according to the standings reported after the match.
Egypt took control early at Cairo International Stadium. Nasser Maher opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing a low cross from right-back Mohamed Hany. The move began with Salah and developed through the right side before Maher converted from close range.
Four minutes later, Egypt doubled the lead. Malawi captain Richard Mbulu lost possession, allowing Omar Marmoush to move through on goal and score with a powerful shot into the near corner.
Malawi created chances despite conceding twice early. Mbulu tested goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 22nd minute, but the Egyptian keeper made the save. Mbulu threatened again with a header in the 34th minute, which Shobeir stopped.
Hany made it 3–0 in the 38th minute with a long-range strike. Egypt went into halftime with a commanding lead after scoring three times in the first half and limiting Malawi’s opportunities to get back into the match.
Egypt continued to press after the break. Ahmed “Zizo” Mostafa had two attempts early in the second half, while Salah tested the Malawi goalkeeper from outside the box. The hosts made substitutions in midfield and attack as the match progressed, bringing on Marwan Attia, Mahmoud Saber, Ibrahim Adel and other substitutes.
Malawi goalkeeper George Chikooka made several saves to prevent the score from growing sooner. He stopped efforts from Ahmed Fattouh, Salah and substitute Marwan Attia as Egypt continued to create chances.
Salah scored Egypt’s fourth in the 84th minute, heading in a cross from Ibrahim Adel. He added the fifth from a penalty in stoppage time. The two goals took his international tally to 70, moving him past former striker Hossam Hassan and into first place among Egypt’s all-time international scorers.
The result gave Egypt a second 5–0 victory in the qualifying group. The team had also beaten South Sudan by that score after opening its campaign with a draw against Angola. Egypt’s next match against Malawi is scheduled to take place in Lilongwe, where the hosts will try to respond after the defeat in Cairo.
For Egypt, the victory combined a strong start, three different first-half scorers and a late milestone for its captain. Maher, Marmoush and Hany established the lead before halftime, while Salah’s two goals completed the scoring and secured his place at the top of the national team’s scoring list.
