Egypt thrash Malawi as Mohamed Salah matches Hossam Hassan’s scoring record

Egypt moved top of Group B in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 5-0 victory over Malawi at Cairo International Stadium.

Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Hany and Mohamed Salah, who scored twice, were on target as Egypt claimed a convincing win in the third round.

The result took Egypt to seven points at the top of the group, while Malawi remain third on three points.

The match was Ali Maher’s first in charge of Egypt after he was appointed as Hossam Hassan’s replacement just days earlier. He began with an attacking front three of Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, Salah and Marmoush.

Egypt made a fast start, with Trezeguet firing narrowly wide in the fifth minute. Two minutes later, Nasser Maher opened the scoring with his first international goal, converting a cross from Mohamed Hany.

Marmoush doubled Egypt’s advantage in the 10th minute with a powerful strike that flew into the Malawi net. The goal was his 14th for Egypt in his 59th international appearance.

Malawi threatened to reduce the deficit in the 22nd minute when Richard Mbulu unleashed a fierce effort, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made the save.

Egypt added a third goal shortly before half-time. Mohamed Hany struck in the 39th minute with another powerful shot, scoring his first international goal for Egypt.

Ahmed El Sayed “Zizo” tested the Malawi goalkeeper from inside the penalty area five minutes after the restart, but his effort was kept out.

Salah missed a clear one-on-one opportunity in the 71st minute after the Malawi goalkeeper denied him. He made amends six minutes from time, heading in Ibrahim Adel’s precise cross to make it 4-0.

The Liverpool forward completed the scoring in the final seconds from the penalty spot.

The two goals took Salah to 68 for Egypt, level with Hossam Hassan as the country’s joint all-time leading scorer.

The victory was also Ali Maher’s first since taking charge of the national team. Egypt will face Malawi again next Tuesday in the fourth round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.