Every time Mohamed Salah has faced Lionel Messi as legendary pair set up World Cup date
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Mohamed Salah could not hold back the tears after Egypt knocked Australia out of the World Cup to qualify for the last-16 on Friday.The now former Liverpool superstar did not get on the scoresheet during the 1-1 draw, but did dink in a cheeky Panenka penalty during the shootout to help the Pharaohs through.Argentina and Lionel Messi now await Egypt, with two modern-day legends set to go head-to-head for the first time since 2019. Unbelievably, it will be just the third time ever that Messi and Salah have faced each other on the pitch.
Is Mohamed Salah Liverpool’s greatest EVER player? Nine years of sheer brilliance are coming to an end… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stuart Franklin – UEFA/Michael Regan First meeting ends level in 2015With Messi playing for as long as he has, and Salah operating at the top level for more than 10 years as well, it is amazing that these two do not have more of a history together.The first meeting came a long time ago too, with Barcelona and Roma facing off in the group stage of the 2015/16 Champions League.Matchday one at the Stadio Olimpico saw a 1-1 draw played out, in which Salah and Messi both played 90 minutes.Luis Suarez put Barca ahead in the first-half, before an Alessandro Florenzi free-kick levelled things up on half an hour.
How German’s managerial record compares against Andoni IraolaSalah misses legendary Liverpool tie It would be almost four years before Salah and Messi would meet again, with the 2019 Champions League semi-final bringing about the Egyptian’s only match in the Camp Nou to date.Things did not go to plan for Mo and Liverpool, with Messi inspiring Barca to a 3-0 win and a seemingly insurmountable lead heading into the second leg.The Argentine icon scored two on the night, including a spectacular free-kick to beat Alisson Becker from range, and although Salah actually played well on the night, he could not force a reply for Liverpool.Having taken a bang to the head several days before the return leg at Anfield, Salah was not ready to face Barca, adding to the feeling that Liverpool were doomed. After Argentina toiled to an extra-time victory over Cape Verde on Friday, Salah will be hopeful of taking Egypt into the quarter-final for the first time ever.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox