Salah says 'had to do it' after coolest of penalties in World Cup win

Mohamed Salah said he decided only at the last moment to take a Panenka-style penalty during Egypt’s World Cup shootout victory over Australia, helping secure passage to the last 16. Salah, 34 and Egypt’s captain, stepped up third in the penalty contest, and Egypt won 4–2 after the match finished 1–1 in Texas. He acknowledged playing through a hamstring strain but stayed on the pitch for the full 120 minutes and described the decision as driven by experience and the need to give teammates confidence. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had said Thursday that he was unsure Salah would be fit to start, yet named him in the XI, with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush also in attack. Next, Egypt face Argentina or Cape Verde. Salah’s tournament stats so far include one goal and two assists.