Salah remains key for Egypt despite quiet outing against Iran

CAIRO: Mohamed Salah stayed central to Egypt’s attacking plans at the World Cup even as he had a subdued game in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Iran and went off early in the second half.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan’s reshaped side nevertheless showed it can find goals and chances beyond its star forward. Midfielder Mahmoud Saber put Egypt ahead inside five minutes in Seattle, while Iran came back through Ramin Rezaeian after Mehdi Taremi had missed a penalty awarded soon after the opener.

Salah, 34, had contributed heavily in Egypt’s first two Group G matches, scoring once and setting up two more against Belgium and New Zealand. Against Iran, however, he was substituted in the 57th minute after asking to come off. He would be assessed, though Hassan did not believe the problem was serious.

Egypt will now hope Salah is fit for the round-of-32 meeting with Australia on July 3 in Dallas after the team reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Egypt finished second in the group after drawing with Iran, as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 on Friday to take top spot on goal difference.

Salah’s role remains decisive

Salah scored nine of Egypt’s 20 goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign. In the group stage of the finals, he managed one goal out of Egypt’s five, but his influence remained significant in the way the side attacks.

At Egypt’s previous World Cup appearance in 2018, Salah scored both of the team’s goals, though they were knocked out after defeats to Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Under Hassan, who took charge in 2024, Egypt have played with more attacking intent, using Salah’s presence to draw defenders and create room for teammates.

That pattern was visible earlier in the tournament. In the opening 1-1 draw with Belgium, Salah helped create Egypt’s goal by feeding Emam Ashour, who scored from outside the box. In the 3-1 victory over New Zealand, Egypt’s broader attacking options were on display as Salah, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet and Mostafa Abdel Raouf Zico all found the net.

Egypt show wider attacking options

The Iran match again underlined that Egypt are not relying on Salah alone. Saber’s early goal gave them the initiative, and the side still advanced despite not producing a winning finish. Even if Salah is not fully fit, Egypt’s attack was described as still capable of posing problems for Australia in the knockout round.

Egypt were denied first place in Group G only on goal difference after Belgium’s emphatic win over New Zealand. Even so, the tournament has already marked a milestone for the Egyptians, who have progressed beyond the group phase for the first time.