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Riyad Mahrez, a five-time Premier League winner, announced his retirement from international football following Algeria’s World Cup exit, a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the round of 32 on Thursday.

"There were good times and difficult times as well, of course. That’s part of a career," he said afterward. “But representing Algeria has been a dream of mine ever since I was young, to play for my country. It’s been an immense honor and a great source of pride.”

He added: “It is the new generation’s turn to play.”

As he walked off the field following the match, Mahrez gave a thumbs-up, then patted his heart and waved to the fans.

Mahrez, who plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, has had an illustrious career at the club and international levels.

The 35-year-old forward retires with the second-most appearances for Algeria (119) and the second-most goals (40). Mahrez was a part of the Algerian team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

At the domestic level, Mahrez won a Premier League title with Leicester City and four with Manchester City, as well as a Champions League title with Manchester City.

Algeria coach ‌Vladimir Petkovic said his side had been made to pay heavily for their mistakes as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland on Thursday that saw them exit the World Cup in the round of 32.

Switzerland took the lead in the 10th minute when Breel Embolo scored following a quick counter-attack, and Dan Ndoye added a second immediately after the break.

"I can't necessarily say it's down to the defense or the defensive unit as a whole, but certainly, ‌in terms of ‌the way we defended as a team, ‌we ⁠have been made ⁠to pay very heavily for that," Petkovic told reporters.

"Every time we've made our first mistake, we've conceded a goal ... the opposition had three chances and they scored two of those. We had more opportunities than they did, but unfortunately that's the way it is."

The 62-year-old, who has had a ⁠long association with Swiss football and spent ‌seven years in charge of the ‌national team, said the step up at the World Cup ‌was a big one for his side.

"We defended very well ‌and we didn't concede a lot of goals heading into the World Cup, but here at the tournament, the level has been very high and so we needed to be a little ‌bit neater and tidier and adapt a bit more to this level," he said.

Petkovic said ⁠he was ⁠happy with how his side had performed overall, and that they had simply lost to the better team.

"It was already a big success to be back at a competition like this after 12 years away. And making it through the group stage for only the second time in our history, I think that's also an excellent result," he said.

"Of course, we wanted to achieve a little bit more, but we weren't able to do so.

"We need to learn from our shortcomings that we displayed but we've also had a whole host of positive moments in the matches."

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan remains uncertain whether forward Mohamed Salah will start Friday's World Cup last-32 clash against Australia at Dallas Stadium, as the 34-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Salah returned to partial training on Wednesday after sustaining the strain in the 1-1 draw with Iran last Friday as the Egyptians picked up the point they needed to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time.

"Salah is a passionate ‌player and ‌he is very much looking forward to making ‌his ⁠own contribution," Hassan ⁠said.

"I'm not going to run any risk unless I'm 100 percent sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.

"We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we're not sure if he's going to be in the starting lineup."

Salah has scored once at the tournament so far, netting his side's second goal as the Egyptians battled back to ⁠hand New Zealand a 3-1 defeat in the group ‌phase.

He asked to be substituted with ‌33 minutes remaining against the Iranians and his battle to be fit has ‌overshadowed his team's preparations for one of the biggest games in ‌their history.

"He is one of the best players globally and I'm very lucky to work with him and I'm very happy with our work together so far," said Hassan.

"I have managed to deploy him tactically and technically ‌speaking and he has surpassed the capabilities that people had expected of him so far."

Tony Popovic's Australia ⁠side are ⁠expected to present the Egyptians with a physical challenge, but Hassan is confident his team will be well prepared to deal with that test.

"On the African continent we have vast experience with tall players, comparable to the Australia side we're going to face tomorrow," he said.

"It's the same as New Zealand, Belgium and Iran. We have dealt so far with such conditions...

"Every team has its weaknesses and strengths and we're well prepared to deal with whatever we're going to face.

"(Diego) Maradona wasn't the tallest of players, (Lionel) Messi isn't either. It's not about tall or short. We're not playing rugby here, we're playing football. Not American football, but football and we're fit and raring to go."

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