Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia in the 2-1 defeat. Darren Staples / Reuters
Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia in the 2-1 defeat. Darren Staples / Reuters
Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia in the 2-1 defeat. Darren Staples / Reuters
Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia in the 2-1 defeat. Darren Staples / Reuters

Mohamed Salah plays down retirement rumours after Egypt bow out of World Cup with defeat to Saudi Arabia


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Mohamed Salah suggested there is no substance to rumours of international retirement after the Egypt forward bowed out of the World Cup with defeat to Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The Liverpool star, who missed the opening Group A match as he recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in last month’s Uefa Champions League final, has endured a difficult time in Russia despite scoring two goals.

Aside from his delayed tournament debut, Salah’s interaction with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov – the team’s World Cup base was in Grozny – attracted significant negative publicity. Then on Sunday, CNN reported that subsequently Salah was considering retiring from his national team, something the Egypt FA denied.

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More from 2018 World Cup

John McAuley: Saudi Arabia earn 'important' win over Egypt to finish third in Group A

Richard Jolly: Uruguay hand Russia a World Cup reality check to top Group A

Day 12 updates: All the news, previews, features and reports from Russia

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Salah was asked after the 2-1 defeat to Saudi, an encounter in which he notched the opener and was named man of the match, if he would take to social media to clarify his situation. He replied: "No tweets, because no problem."

The result means Egypt finish bottom of their pool, with no points from three games. Their quest for a first World Cup victory – this was their third appearance at the finals and first in 28 years – continues.

Asked if Salah, 26, was about to give up on international football, manager Hector Cuper said: “I don’t think so. I don’t think it’s true because all those who are here, and lots who couldn’t come, really, really appreciate the opportunity to play for their national team. So I don’t think that’s true.

“I think Salah has played a great game. Maybe he was not able to do what he normally does, what we’re used to, but he scored. He had another opportunity, I think it was offside, but he did play well.

“Maybe we could have expected more, but he cannot be the only one to give everything. He needs help and support from his teammates as he supports his teammates.”

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1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

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Japan

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Norway

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Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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British group

Coldplay

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British Female

Mabel

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FKA Twigs

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British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

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Michael Kiwanuka

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Lewis Capaldi

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Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

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Ariana Grande

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Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

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Celeste

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RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

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Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
World Cup warm up matches

May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol; Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff

May 25 England v Australia, Southampton; India v New Zealand, The Oval

May 26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff

May 27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton; England v Afghanistan, The Oval

May 28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol; Bangladesh v India, Cardiff

While you're here
MATCH DETAILS

Barcelona 0

Slavia Prague 0

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Uefa Nations League: How it Works

The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.

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