Salah's World Cup breakthrough transforms his Egypt legacy

CAIRO, July 6 : Egypt's Mohamed Salah has spent much of his international career carrying the expectations of a football-mad nation while enduring World Cup disappointment, Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak and public disputes with the country's FA.

Now, whatever happens against Argentina in Tuesday's World Cup last-16 clash, the outgoing Liverpool forward has finally produced an achievement that had long eluded him and Egypt.

By captaining the Pharaohs to the knockout stage for the first time, Salah has secured a place in their football history. Before the finals, Egypt had never won a match at the World Cup.

The emotion of that breakthrough was evident after Friday's shootout victory over Australia in the round-of-32 clash.

Salah was in tears at the final whistle before embracing teammates and thanking supporters, a release after years of near-misses and criticism over Egypt's failure to translate his individual brilliance into tournament success.

"It's history," Salah told reporters.

"I told the boys before the game, 'Guys, this is the biggest stage you could play in your life. So just enjoy it. Don't let the pressure get into you and not enjoy the moment.' I'm glad that we managed to win the game."

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The celebrations have continued well beyond the pitch.

After each of Egypt's victories, Salah has been at the centre of the festivities, carrying a portable speaker as teammates sang and danced in the dressing room before taking the celebrations onto the street outside the team's hotel.

The scenes have become one of the defining images of Egypt's World Cup campaign, reflecting a captain visibly enjoying an international success that had long proved elusive.

He has matched that leadership with his performances on