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Former Liverpool Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah left Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Iran at the World Cup with a left knee injury, manager Hossam Hassan said.
In the 57th minute, Salah was replaced by Mostafa Zico. In comments translated from Arabic, Hassan said Salah was being evaluated by the team’s medical staff and would undergo another examination when Egypt returned to the team hotel.
“I spoke to Salah and he told me everything would be fine and it wasn’t a big injury,” Hassan said. “We still have time to speak to the medical staff. I think he will come back, and when I spoke to Salah he assured me everything would be fine.”
Ahead of the tournament, Hassan expressed quiet confidence in the team around Salah. Egypt achieved Hassan’s goal by taking the team through the group stage for the first time in an 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 over New Zealand. The 34-year-old contributed to two other goals in the tournament.
Reporting for Associated Press.
