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Former Liverpool standout and Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah left Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Iran at the World Cup due to a left knee injury, coach Hossam Hassan said.
In the 57th minute, Salah was surprisingly replaced by Mostafa Zico. In comments translated from Arabic, Hassan said Salah is being assessed by the team’s medical staff and will have another examination when Egypt returns to the team hotel.
“I spoke to Salah and he said he will be fine and it’s not a big injury,” Hassan said. “We still have time to talk to the medical staff. I think he will come back and when I spoke to Salah he assured me he would be fine.”
Ahead of the tournament, Hassan expressed a quiet confidence in the roster around Salah. Egypt managed Hassan’s goal of the team progressing past the group stage for the first time in the expanded field.
It would still be a serious blow for Egypt if Salah is unable to play in the knockout round against Australia next Friday.
The four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner scored his 68th international goal in the Pharaohs’ first World Cup victory, a 3-1 victory against New Zealand. The 34-year-old has assisted two other goals in the tournament.
Reporting for the Associated Press.
