Salah an injury doubt as Egypt face Australia in historic knockout debut

Salah goes off, Egypt draw 1–1 with Iran, but you're through

Mohamed Salah asked to be subbed off. That is the image you will remember from Egypt 1–1 Iran on Saturday (2). Your captain walked off, and no one yet knows how serious it is. Egypt still got what they needed: a point that sends the Pharaohs into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

Hossam Hassan did not have a diagnosis after the match. "Salah asked to be replaced, but we still don't know the diagnosis," the manager said (2). The BBC now reports Salah is an injury doubt for Friday's last-32 tie against Australia (1).

Friday's opponent: Australia

Egypt face Australia on Friday, 3 July in the round of 16 (3). The match is the biggest in the nation's football history. If Salah's body does not cooperate, Hossam Hassan will need a plan without the player who dragged Egypt past New Zealand with a goal and an assist.

The Iran draw was enough

Salah was on the pitch when Egypt got their equaliser against an Iran side featuring Mehdi Taremi and Shoja Khalilzadeh. The 1–1 result confirmed progression from Group G (2). Mehdi Taremi and Amir Ghalenoei's Iran side pushed hard, but your team held firm.

The wait is now 92 years for a knockout appearance. Then you get there, and the first question is whether your best player lines up. Hassan added that Salah is "going to be okay" despite a hamstring problem (2). Fans will cling to those words until Friday.