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Former Liverpool standout and Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah left Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Iran in 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 evaluated by the team’s medical staff and will have another exam when Egypt returns to the team hotel.
“I spoke to Salah and he told me that he was going to be fine and that it wasn’t a big injury,” Hassan said. “We still have time to talk to the medical staff. I think he will be back, and when I spoke to Salah he assured me that he will be fine.”
Before the tournament, Hassan expressed quiet confidence in the squad around Salah. Egypt fulfilled Hassan’s goal of passing the group stage for the first time in the expanded field.
It would still be a blow for Egypt if Salah was unable to play in the round of 16 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 on two other goals in the tournament.
Report for Associated Press.
