Ahead of knockout match against Australia: Egypt fears for Salah's availability

Background: Salah's injury and Egypt's situation

Hossam Hassan also issued a warning to those who might underestimate Egypt: "Just ask those whom you believe are underestimating him." The "Pharaohs" are still unbeaten in the tournament, with one win and two draws to their credit. The North Africans go into the match against the "Socceroos" as slight favorites.

On the Australian side, anticipation for the duel with Salah and Co. is also great. After one win, one draw, and one defeat in the group stage, the "Socceroos" are in the knockout phase of a World Cup for the third time. The motto ahead of the match is summed up by one player: "It's: eat or be eaten." They are aware of the opponent's quality and especially of the exceptional Salah: "Mo Salah is a top player. We definitely need to think about how we can stop him and Egypt," full-back Jordan Bos explained ahead of the potential duel with the Liverpool legend.

The Australian perspective

An Australian player under contract in the Netherlands at Feyenoord, whom coach Tony Popovic called into his squad, emphasized the team's determination: "That's how everyone will go into the game, and that's how I will go into the game too." His compatriot Bos added with a view to the task against Salah: "That's how everyone will go into the game, and that's how I will go into the game too."

Should Salah regain fitness in time, Egypt would go into Friday evening's match at the Dallas Stadium with the FC Liverpool attacker for its first World Cup knockout game in 92 years. The tournament, which is being held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has another duel between a team with tournament history and a multiple World Cup participant to offer with the meeting of the "Pharaohs" and the "Socceroos."

Outlook on the match

In addition to the concerns about Salah, the Egyptian camp is also occupied with the question of how the team could compensate for the absence of their captain. Coach Hossam Hassan pointed to the depth of his squad and to the players who had taken responsibility in the group stage. Should Salah be unable to play, further attacking options would be available in Mahmoud Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush.

On the other side, Australia is preparing intensively for the duel. Coach Tony Popovic relies on defensive stability and quick counterattacking play. The "Socceroos" have impressed in the group stage above all as a collective. With a view to Salah, an Australian player put it succinctly: "Eat or be eaten." The match is scheduled for Friday evening (8:00 PM, ZDF and MagentaTV) at the Dallas Stadium. If Argentina or Cape Verde win their round of 16 match, the winner of this match will face them in the last 16.