Egyptian soccer legend Mohamed Salah took to the streets of Vancouver on Sunday night to celebrate with thousands of fans after Egypt's historic 2-0 World Cup group stage victory over New Zealand at BC Place. The 34-year-old Liverpool star, who scored the second goal in the match, emerged from the stadium and mingled with the crowd, posing for selfies and chanting with supporters.
Spontaneous celebration in downtown Vancouver
Witnesses reported that Salah, wearing his national team jersey, walked along Robson Street and into the heart of the fan zone near the Vancouver Art Gallery, where an estimated 10,000 Egyptian and neutral fans had gathered. The celebration lasted nearly an hour, with Salah leading chants of 'Egypt! Egypt!' and waving an Egyptian flag.
According to Vancouver Police, no incidents were reported during the celebration, which remained peaceful. 'It was an incredible moment of unity and joy,' said fan Ahmed Hassan, 28, who attended the match. 'Seeing Salah celebrate with us like that made the victory even more special.'
Egypt's World Cup triumph
The win marked Egypt's first World Cup victory on Canadian soil, with Salah scoring in the 67th minute to seal the 2-0 result. The goal was his 57th for the national team, extending his record as Egypt's all-time leading scorer. The victory puts Egypt in a strong position to advance from Group G, with one group match remaining against Belgium.
Egyptian fans had traveled from across North America to attend the match, with many waving flags and wearing pharaonic headdresses. 'This is a dream come true,' said Mariam Ibrahim, a Vancouver resident originally from Cairo. 'To see our hero celebrating with us in our city is something I'll never forget.'
Salah's connection with fans
Salah, known for his humility and charitable work, has a massive following in Canada, where a large Egyptian diaspora community resides. His impromptu street celebration drew comparisons to similar scenes in Liverpool after Champions League victories. 'He's not just a footballer; he's a symbol of hope and pride for Egyptians everywhere,' said sports analyst Karim El-Gammal.
Video footage of the celebration quickly went viral on social media, with fans sharing clips of Salah dancing and singing with the crowd. The City of Vancouver later thanked Salah and the fans for a peaceful event, highlighting the positive atmosphere.
