Salah forced off with hamstring scare in Egypt’s draw

Mohamed Salah’s tournament opener ended in the 57th minute after the Egypt captain clutched his hamstring and asked to be substituted in the 12th minute of the second half of the 1-1 draw with Iran. The Liverpool forward had created three clear chances in the first 45 minutes but signaled for the bench, forcing coach Hossam Hassan to act swiftly. Hassan confirmed Salah’s request and said medical staff immediately assessed the severity of the knock on the pitch.

“He felt something in his hamstring and asked to come off,” the coach told reporters. ” The substitution was made for Omar Marmoush, who entered with Egypt holding a one-goal lead. Egypt equalized in the 63rd minute after Iran’s Sardar Azmoun converted a rebound from a missed penalty, leveling the match at 1-1.