International media react to Mo Salah's dramatic AFCON winner as Liverpool struggle laid bare
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Daily Mirror IconSportFootballLiverpool FCMohamed Salah scored a 91st-minute winner for Egypt in their AFCON opener against ZimbabweInternational media outlets have been swift to pass judgement on Mohamed Salah following the Liverpool star's dramatic last-gasp winner for Egypt in their AFCON opener.With just seconds remaining in added time, Salah shrugged off his defender before unleashing a fierce left-footed drive into the bottom corner, sealing a 2-1 victory and saving Egypt from embarrassment against underdogs Zimbabwe - a nation yet to escape the group stages.The 33-year-old arrives at AFCON under the spotlight following his very public row with Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Salah claimed the club had 'thrown him under the bus' during a disappointing spell of form, sparking rumours of a potential January departure from Anfield.For the time being though, Salah's attention remains fixed on representing his country.
Despite Egypt being the tournament's most successful nation with seven titles, their talismanic captain has never claimed the prize himself, suffering heartbreak in both the 2017 and 2022 finals.Al JazeeraThe Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera hailed Salah's crucial late strike with the headline: "Mohamed Salah puts Liverpool controversy behind him with dramatic winner against Zimbabwe in their AFCON opener."READ MORE: Liverpool icon, 30, has contract TERMINATED and is now available for free in JanuaryREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher apologises to Chelsea after controversial team of the season callHowever, their match analysis also highlighted how Salah looked sluggish for large periods - potentially due to his recent lack of playing time. "Salah had come into the tournament in Morocco under the spotlight following a fiery outburst after being dropped by the Premier League champions and struggled to find his rhythm for most of the match," reported Al Jazeera.However, the winger stepped up "when it counted" to catapult his nation to the top of Group B.ASSpanish publication AS hailed: "Salah is still the pharaoh" after the Egyptian captain struck gold in injury time.
"In the opening minutes, Salah showed that he had put his controversy at Liverpool behind him and was committed to the team," the paper observed, adding that Salah "saved his best for last with a precise shot" to secure victory for his side.AS also lauded Salah's international teammate Omar Marmoush, labelling him a "luxury partner" for "undisputed leader" Salah after the Manchester City ace levelled the score following an unexpected early lead by the Warriors.BildGerman tabloid Bild described the game as "Salah madness at the African Cup of Nations" filled with "pure drama thanks to superstar Salah". This was "the Salah show," the paper proudly proclaimed – with accolades also handed to fellow countryman Marmoush for bringing the Pharaohs back into contention.Al-AhramEgypt's most popular newspaper provided a balanced critique, also observing that Salah appeared sluggish for a large part of the match.