El-Hadary, Salah, Messi and Cristiano shine in World Cup's eleven records

CAIRO – 29 June 2018: The 2018 World Cup groups’ stage has ended on Thursday and football fans around the world are waiting for the 16th round which will start on Saturday.

But before that, we must highlight amazing records that happened in the groups’ stage from players who were waiting for this World Cup to shine.

1- Essam El-Hadary


Soccer Football - World Cup - Group A - Saudi Arabia vs Egypt - Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Russia - June 25, 2018 Egypt's Essam El-Hadary saves a penalty from Saudi Arabia's Fahad Al-Muwallad (not pictured) REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino


Despite Egypt’s pointless elimination from the World Cup, the Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary achieved a new records.

The oldest player, 45, to feature in the World Cup, surpassed Colombian goalkeeper, Faryd Mondragón’s record when he played a World Cup match at the age of 43.

1- The oldest player to save a penalty in the World Cup, he saved a penalty in Egypt’s 1-2 loss against Saudi Arabia.

2- The first African Goalkeeper to save a penalty.

3- The oldest Captain for his national team in the World Cup history.



2- Cristiano Ronaldo


Soccer Football - World Cup - Kazan, Russia - June 28, 2018 A mural of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, painted in a courtyard in front of the Ramada hotel where the Argentina team will stay before their last 16 match versus France. REUTERS/John Sibley

The oldest player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup (33). Ronaldo scored three goals in the 3-3 draw against Spain in their opener.



3- Lionel Messi


Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Sergio Perez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY


Argentina’s Lionel Messi broke a record set by Argentina’s legend, Maradona, when Messi has completed 107 dribbles, while Maradona had completed 105 before retiring.

Messi also became the first player to score a goal as a teenager, 20’s and 30’s. The 31-years-old scored in the 2006, 2014, 2018 editions.




4- Mohamed Salah


Soccer Football - World Cup - Group A - Saudi Arabia vs Egypt - Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Russia - June 25, 2018 Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino


The Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, is the first Egyptian player to score in two consecutive World Cup games when he scored in Egypt’s losses against Russia 1-3 and Saudi Arabia 1-2.



5- Rafael Marquez


Soccer Football - World Cup - Group F - Germany vs Mexico - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - June 17, 2018 Mexico's Hugo Ayala and Rafael Marquez celebrate after the match REUTERS/Carl Recine

Mexico’s defender became the first player to be a Captain for his national team in 5 different World Cups. Marquez featured in Mexico’s 1-0 victory over Germany in their opener. He also became the third player to play in 5 World Cups joining German legend Lothar Matthaus and his own countryman, Antonio Carbajal.

Other World Cup numbers




Soccer Football - World Cup - England Fans watch England vs Belgium - Brighton, Britain - June 28, 2018 General view as England fans watch the match on Brighton beach REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

6- 24 penalties have been ruled out more than any other World Cup.

7- 8 Own goals have been scored more than any other World Cup. A new record.

8- 20 % of 96 goals scored after the 90th minute. A new record.

9- Germany has been eliminated from the groups’ stage for the first time in history.

10- Only 15 seconds was enough for Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo to get the Yellow card. A new record.

11- 36 consecutive World Cup games didn’t end with a goalless draw. A new record.