Mohamed Salah starts for Egypt in World Cup Round of 32 vs Australia
Mohamed Salah is confirmed in the starting XI for Egypt's Round of 32 clash against Australia, despite injury concerns from the group stage.
Mohamed Salah disputera bien ce seizième de finale comme titulaire. (F. Faugère/L'Équipe)
Mohamed Salah will lead the line for Egypt in their World Cup Round of 32 match against Australia tonight at 20:00. Despite injury concerns following his early exit in the final group stage game, head coach Hossam Hassan has confirmed his star player is fit to start.
Egypt will stick with their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Salah is set to play in the number 10 role, flanked by Emam Ashour and Ziko, supporting striker Omar Marmoush. In defense, Yasser Ibrahim steps in to replace the injured Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Egypt starting XI: Shobeir - Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hafez - Fathi, Attia - Ashour, Salah (capt.), Ziko - Marmoush.
Australia enters the match with no surprises, as Tony Popovic names an unchanged side from their last outing against Paraguay. Captain Harry Souttar leads the three-man backline alongside Lucas Herrington and Alessandro Circati, while Jackson Irvine anchors the midfield.
Australia starting XI: Beach - Circati, Souttar (capt.), Herrington - Bos, O'Neil, Irvine, Behich - Volpato, Irankunda, Metcalfe.
This fixture marks a historic moment in the tournament, representing the first World Cup knockout stage match between two teams from outside Europe and the Americas.