Salah fit but Egypt sweat over his role against Australia

Salah fit, the question is how much he plays

Mo Salah trained with Egypt on Thursday. Hossam Hassan confirmed his forward is fit enough to face Australia on Friday (3). The hamstring strain that forced him off against Iran has not ruled him out. What nobody knows yet is whether he starts or comes off the bench. Salah told Hassan he is "going to be okay", but the manager has a decision to make, risk your talisman from kickoff or hold him for later.

Egypt face Australia for a place in the last 16

The Pharaohs have never won a World Cup knockout match. That can change Friday. Egypt finished second in Group G behind Belgium and now face Australia as the only remaining AFC team in the tournament (1) (2). The winner gets either Argentina or Cape Verde.

Marmoush under the spotlight

With Salah's minutes uncertain, the stage belongs to Omar Marmoush. Manchester City are watching this tie closely, a sharp test of his role and his value post-World Cup. Egypt need him to step up, and he knows it.

A legacy moment for Salah

This is the kind of match that defines how a player is remembered. Salah has already carried Egypt to their first group-stage progression. Win on Friday and he delivers another first, a knockout victory at a World Cup (5). That is the bar now.