The long wait for Mohamed Salah and Egypt at the World Cup has finally ended, with the team securing their first-ever victory in the competition at the ninth attempt. The result, a 3–1 win, leaves the Pharaohs on the verge of advancing to the last 32.

The breakthrough came after years of frustration on the global stage, and this success puts Egypt in a strong position in their group. A result against Iran could be enough to confirm progression, although they may not even require it depending on other outcomes.

This victory also marks a significant moment in Egypt’s broader World Cup history, finally breaking a long-standing winless run in the tournament.

Salah inspires comeback against New Zealand

Egypt’s match began poorly after New Zealand took an early lead, putting immediate pressure on the African side. However, the game shifted in the second half as Egypt responded strongly.

Salah struck in the 67th minute to put his team ahead after an uneven start to the match, where he had previously struggled to make an impact. His goal changed the rhythm of the contest and lifted Egypt’s performance.

He later played a decisive role again, delivering a corner that was headed in by Trezeguet to confirm the victory and secure a 3–1 final score.

From past disappointments to redemption

Salah’s World Cup journey has been marked by setbacks, including limited involvement in 2018 due to injury concerns and difficult team results. In that tournament, Egypt suffered defeats to Uruguay, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, with Salah scoring only once from the penalty spot in a losing effort.

There were also reports of tension around that campaign, including claims of disrupted preparation and speculation about his international future. Egypt later failed to qualify for the following World Cup, extending their disappointment.

At the club level, Salah’s final season with Liverpool was also described as difficult, including reported disagreements with then-manager Arne Slot before his departure was announced in the summer.

National impact and renewed belief

Despite a slow start to the current tournament, Salah’s performance against New Zealand underlined his importance to Egypt, where he carries enormous expectation with every appearance. He now has 68 international goals in 118 matches, leaving him close to his national team manager’s record.

Observers highlighted his influence throughout the game, noting his high involvement in attacking actions and his ability to shift momentum when it mattered most. Former players and coaches pointed to his leadership in decisive moments as key to Egypt’s success.

The win carries added emotional weight for Egypt, who had not recorded a World Cup victory in 92 years, finally easing a long-standing burden on the national team.

Germany and the Ivory Coast will meet at Toronto Stadium on Saturday with both nations aiming to build on winning starts in Group E of the World Cup. While the Germans delivered the most convincing result of the opening round, the Ivorians secured their victory in dramatic fashion, setting up a fascinating contest between two sides full of confidence.

The four-time world champions dismantled Curaçao 7-1 in their opening fixture, extending their impressive run of form. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, left it late against Ecuador, claiming a 1-0 success thanks to a decisive strike from Amad Diallo in the closing moments.

With another three points, Germany would continue their perfect start and strengthen their position in the group. Ivory Coast, however, have their own ambitions as they pursue a place in the knockout stage and look to make more history on football’s biggest stage.

Germany arrive in outstanding form

Julian Nagelsmann’s team head into the match on the back of 10 consecutive victories across all competitions, their longest winning sequence since a 12-match streak achieved between May 1979 and June 1980 under Josef Derwall. Their opening performance against Curaçao underlined the momentum they have carried into the tournament.

Five different players found the net in that contest, with Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav all getting on the scoresheet. Kai Havertz was particularly influential, adding two goals in the comprehensive triumph.

The Arsenal attacker has now scored for Germany at each of the last four major tournaments — Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup. Across those competitions, his eight goals are twice as many as any other German player, with Musiala and Niclas Füllkrug both contributing four.

Despite their attacking strength, Germany has shown some vulnerability at the back. They have gone seven consecutive World Cup matches without recording a clean sheet, a sequence surpassed only by the nine-game run between 1934 and 1954. They are also attempting to win their first two matches at a World Cup for the first time since the 2006 tournament on home soil, when they defeated Costa Rica and Poland.

Last 5 Germany matches stats

Ivory Coast target another landmark result

Ivory Coast opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Ecuador, demonstrating resilience before striking late to secure all three points. Emerse Faé’s side faced 12 shots during the match, the most they have allowed in a World Cup game without conceding a goal.

The decisive moment arrived when substitute Amad Diallo converted Wilfried Singo’s pass in the 90th minute. His goal, timed at 89 minutes and 32 seconds, became the latest scored by a substitute in World Cup history, excluding extra time and own goals, since Francesco Totti’s penalty against Australia 20 years earlier.

That success has given the Elephants the opportunity to achieve another milestone. Never before have they managed more than one victory at a single World Cup tournament, and a win over Germany would establish a new benchmark for the national side.

Defensively, Ivory Coast are also chasing history. They have never kept clean sheets in consecutive World Cup matches, meaning another shutout would represent a first for the team. Following his match-winning contribution from the bench, Amad will hope to earn a place in the starting lineup and could become only the second Ivorian player to score in back-to-back World Cup appearances after Gervinho in 2014.

Last 5 Ivory Coast matches stats

Previous meetings and notable records

This fixture will mark only the second encounter between Germany and Ivory Coast and their first meeting in a competitive setting. The lone previous clash came in a friendly in November 2009, when the sides shared a 2-2 draw.

Germany took the lead through Lukas Podolski, but Ivory Coast responded with goals from Emmanuel Eboué and Seydou Doumbia to move ahead. Podolski then struck again in stoppage time to rescue a draw for the hosts in Gelsenkirchen.

Historically, Germany has generally enjoyed success against African opposition at the World Cup. Across eight such matches, they have recorded five victories and two draws, suffering only one defeat — a 2-1 loss to Algeria in 1982. Despite that setback, they still advanced all the way to the final.

Ivory Coast’s record against European teams at the World Cup is more modest. They have won one of four matches in that category, alongside one draw and two defeats. Their sole victory came in 2006, when they recovered from two goals down to defeat Serbia & Montenegro 3-2, although their elimination had already been confirmed before kick-off.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

Germany enters this contest as clear favourites after producing the most dominant display of the opening round, while their current 10-match winning streak highlights the confidence and momentum within Julian Nagelsmann’s squad. The Germans possess significant attacking quality throughout the team, with Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and several other in-form players capable of causing problems for any defence. Ivory Coast, however, showed tremendous resilience in their victory over Ecuador and will be encouraged by their defensive organisation and ability to strike decisively on the counter-attack. Emerse Faé’s side are unlikely to enjoy large spells of possession, but their pace and discipline could make them a dangerous opponent if Germany leaves spaces at the back. Germany should control the tempo and create the majority of chances, though Ivory Coast has enough quality to remain competitive for long periods. Ultimately, the European side’s superior depth and attacking firepower are expected to prove decisive.

Prediction: Germany 3-1 Ivory Coast

Expected outcome: Germany secure a second consecutive victory to take a major step toward qualification for the knockout stage, while Ivory Coast remain firmly in contention despite a spirited performance. The Elephants should create moments of danger on the break, but Germany’s attacking strength is likely to make the difference over 90 minutes.

Scotland’s hopes of securing a place in the World Cup knockout stage suffered a setback after a 1-0 loss to Morocco, although qualification remains possible heading into the final group match. Steve Clarke’s side knew that even a draw would leave them in a strong position, but their evening could hardly have begun in a worse fashion.

Just 70 seconds after kick-off, defensive uncertainty allowed Ismael Saibari to break through and fire Morocco ahead. The Africa Cup of Nations holders, ranked sixth in the world, immediately seized control after Scotland’s centre-back pairing of Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry failed to deal with the danger.

The goal silenced the large Scottish support, who had arrived at Boston Stadium full of belief following the victory over Haiti. Instead of building on that momentum, Scotland found itself under pressure almost from the opening whistle.

Tactical plan disrupted by Moroccan quality

Clarke had altered his lineup from the previous match, deploying Kieran Tierney on the left side of midfield with the apparent objective of limiting the influence of Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi. However, the visitors’ swift opening strike undermined those intentions before the strategy could take effect.

Morocco demonstrated the same attacking sharpness they had shown against Brazil in their previous outing. Their movement and passing regularly caused problems, and Scotland struggled to establish any rhythm during much of the first half.

Despite Morocco’s superiority, they were unable to extend their advantage. Scotland gradually became more organised defensively and prevented their opponents from fully capitalising on their dominance.

A late first-half opportunity offered encouragement when John McGinn arrived at the back post, but the midfielder failed to direct his effort on target, leaving Morocco’s lead intact at the interval.

Scotland show greater resilience after the break

The closing stages of the first half provided Scotland with confidence, and they carried that improved energy into the second period. McGinn was involved again shortly after the restart when he appealed for a penalty, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev dismissed the claims.

Morocco continued to threaten and came close to adding a second goal. Jack Hendry produced an important block, while goalkeeper Angus Gunn reacted sharply to deny Bilal El Khannouss and keep Scotland within reach.

Further appeals for a spot kick followed when Scott McTominay went down inside the area, but once more there was no award. The decision appeared less controversial than the earlier appeal involving McGinn.

Scotland’s best efforts to find an equaliser included a deflected strike from McTominay that briefly sparked celebrations before striking the side netting. Substitute Lyndon Dykes also had an opportunity but sent a header wide of the target.

Encouragement ahead of decisive Brazil encounter

Although the result was disappointing, Scotland avoided the collapse many supporters feared after conceding so early. As the contest progressed, Clarke’s players competed with greater confidence and managed to make life more difficult for their highly rated opponents.

The introduction of Ben Gannon-Doak provided fresh energy in attack. The winger’s willingness to run directly at defenders offered Scotland a different dimension and helped stretch a Moroccan defence that had looked increasingly comfortable earlier in the match.

Questions may remain about the decision to begin with Tierney in an advanced role, particularly given the impact Gannon-Doak made from the bench. Nevertheless, Scotland finished strongly and showed considerably more attacking intent during the latter stages.

When the final whistle eventually arrived amid some confusion, Scotland’s players displayed their disappointment. Yet after recovering from an almost immediate setback and pushing for a late equaliser, they can still travel to Miami with belief as they prepare for a crucial meeting with Brazil and a chance to make history.