Salah Exits With Knee Injury, Egypt Coach Expects Return

Salah Exits With Knee Injury, Egypt Coach Expects Return

Mohamed Salah left Egypt’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Iran on Friday with a left knee injury, but coach Hossam Hassan said the forward expects to recover in time for the knockout stage. Salah was substituted in the 57th minute, replaced by Mostafa Zico.

Hassan said Salah was being assessed by the team’s medical staff and would undergo further examination on the return to the team hotel. “I talked to Salah and he said he’s going to be OK and it’s not a big injury,” Hassan said. “I think he will be back, and when I spoke to Salah he assured me he’s going to be OK.” Egypt advanced from the group stage – the first time the country has done so in the tournament’s expanded format – and are scheduled to face Australia in the next round.

Salah, 34, has been central to Egypt’s campaign. The four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner scored his 68th international goal in Egypt’s opening 3-1 victory over New Zealand and has contributed assists on two further goals in the tournament.

Any absence would represent a significant setback for Egypt ahead of the knockout fixture against Australia. The team’s medical staff is expected to provide a clearer assessment of Salah’s condition before that match.