Cuper insists Salah is not set to quit Egypt

THIS was a most peculiar match, a dead rubber with lots of live issues. We were given the wonderful sight of the World Cup’s oldest-ever player making an acrobatic penalty save to defy his years. We experienced a referee handily exposing the lengthy delays VAR can cause. And we got a palpable expression of Mohamed Salah’s current mood towards his country’s FA. Salah is said to be furious with Egypt for placing him in position to be politically associated with Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov and is considering quitting. The muted manner of his celebration after a brilliant opening goal gave us a window into his mind. In the 22nd minute, Salah brought a lofted ball under control with one deft touch then lobbed a finish over Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Yasser Al-Mosailem. There was, though, none of the emotion that usually greets a Salah goal. Egypt coach Hector Cuper dismissed suggestions Salah was set to quit, saying: ‘I don’t think it’s true because all of those who are here support and appreciate the opportunity of playing for the national team.’ After Salah’s goal, Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan spotted a handball by Ahmed Fathy. It was very harsh but it gave 45-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary his moment. Fahad Al-Muwallad’s penalty was struck with power but El-Hadary dived to his right and tipped the ball on to the crossbar. Just on half-time, Al-Muwallad went down in the box under a slight tug on his shirt by Ali Gabr and Roldan again pointed to the spot. Replays showed Al Muwallad with a bigger grab of Gabr’s jersey and the video assistant referee asked Roldan to take another look. Roldan saw various angles but somehow stuck by his original decision. The whole thing took four minutes to sort before Salman Al-Faraj netted the penalty. With the last kick of the game, Salem Al-Dawsari won it for Saudi Arabia, volleying sweetly into the far corner.