Salah fit as Socceroos meet Egypt with last 16 at stake

Egypt tonight, and Salah is the question

Your Socceroos face Egypt in the Round of 32 at AT&T Stadium on Friday (1)(2). It is the last of the knockout round's final three matches, and the winner meets either Portugal or Spain in the last 16 (6).

Mohamed Salah is fit. He came off with a hamstring issue in Egypt's group-stage draw with Iran, but Guardian reports confirm he is available tonight (6). That means Australia's backline, including teenage defender Lucas Herrington, gets the full Egypt attack, Salah and Omar Marmoush both expected (4).

Three Socceroos born in refugee camps

Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Touré, and Awer Mabil all carry the same story into tonight. All three were born in refugee camps in Africa. All three will wear the green and gold in a World Cup knockout match (5).

They have been vocal against anti-immigration rhetoric during the tournament, telling reporters their presence in the squad is not a political statement, it is their life (5).

How to watch

The match kicks off Friday evening Australian time. FourFourTwo has the full broadcast guide for your region (2).

Fan reactions

The mood online is tense but hopeful. Salah being confirmed fit has spiked the nerves, nobody wanted an asterisk on this one. The Irankunda/Touré/Mabil story is cutting through too: plenty of fans saying this is exactly what the Socceroos represent. One thread called it "the most Australian thing at this World Cup."