Salah stepped up, but World Cup 2026 is proving to be no countries for old men - ESPN

Mohamed Salah still has magic in his old boots. While the clock is ticking toward the end for many of the stars at this FIFA World Cup, some can still roll back the years, and Salah proved to be more like Lionel Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo by creating history for Egypt on Sunday.

By scoring once and registering an assist in the Pharaohs' 3-1 win against New Zealand in Vancouver, the 34-year-old helped secure his country's first-ever victory at a World Cup in their eighth attempt and moved them to the top of Group G.

Egypt will face Iran in their final group game in Seattle on Friday, knowing that they are within striking distance of the knockout stages for the first time.

On the other side of the group, Belgium will take on New Zealand in Vancouver, needing their aging stars to keep their World Cup dream alive. But while Salah delivered for Egypt, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne hit the wall in a goalless draw against Iran in Los Angeles that hinted at the end being nigh for both players.

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It has been a tough tournament for players with storied careers so far, aside from Argentina captain Messi and his hat trick against Algeria.

Ronaldo's 90 minutes for Portugal against Congo DR were a nonevent, and Heung-Min Son has failed to live up to his previous heights with South Korea.

Salah was substituted in Egypt's opener against Belgium, prompting coach Hossam Hassan to deny reports of a rift between the pair, while De Bruyne was indifferent in his first game against Salah's side.

So, what could Salah and the Belgian veterans do in