Magdi Abdel-Ghani celebrating a World Cup goal. FIFA
Nearly 36 years after it was scored, former Egypt midfielder Magdi Abdel-Ghani’s goal at the 1990 World Cup remains one of the most celebrated moments in the country’s football history, despite the Pharaohs returning to the global stage in 2018 and qualifying again for 2026.
In 1990, a largely home-based Egypt squad, with only Magdi Abdel-Ghani and Magdi Tolba playing abroad, secured the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 56 years by reaching the finals in Italy.
Egypt scored only once during the tournament, but the goal carried historic significance.
Abdel-Ghani, then playing for Portuguese side Beira-Mar, converted a penalty in a 1-1 draw against reigning European champions the Netherlands, earning Egypt a valuable point after an impressive display.
After Wim Kieft gave the Dutch the lead early in the second half, Egypt fought back when striker Hossam Hassan was brought down by defender Ronald Koeman, allowing Abdel-Ghani to level from the spot.
“My goal remains special and unforgettable because it came at a decisive moment against the European champions and against a great goalkeeper like Hans van Breukelen,” Abdel-Ghani said in a recent Egyptian television interview.
“For the national team, it earned us a precious point.”
For years, Abdel-Ghani frequently reminded fans that he was the only Egyptian player to score at a World Cup since Egypt’s two goals at the 1934 tournament, a claim that became a frequent source of jokes and sarcasm among supporters.
Many fans hoped Egypt’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia would finally end the discussion.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah scored twice in Russia, but Abdel-Ghani has continued to insist that his goal retains a unique place in Egyptian football history.
“My achievement is different because Egypt did not earn a single point from Salah’s goals, unlike what happened after my goal,” Abdel-Ghani said in another television interview with former Egypt international Hazem Emam.
“So my achievement is still ongoing. We are waiting for the next World Cup to see what Salah will do,” he added jokingly.
Egypt exited the 1990 World Cup in the group stage after drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands, drawing 0-0 with Ireland and losing 1-0 to England.
A similar fate awaited them in Russia in 2018, where they were eliminated after defeats by Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Abdel-Ghani acknowledged that his status as the scorer of Egypt’s only World Cup goal for decades brought him benefits beyond football, including media appearances and advertising opportunities.
“In 2010, someone joked on social media, saying: ‘Don’t let the current rain make you forget Magdi Abdel-Ghani’s World Cup goal,’” he said.
“The phrase went viral and I thought: why let others use my achievement? Since then, I started using the slogan, ‘Don’t forget my World Cup goal,’ on many occasions.”
He said the phrase eventually became a personal trademark that proved commercially successful.
“It became widely used in television advertisements and brought me many benefits,” Abdel-Ghani concluded.
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