Returning Salah’s goal was not enough for nervous Egypt as they lost battle of survival to Russia by 1-3 on Tuesday night.[spacer height=”30px”]
In Group A, Egypt needed at least one point from the match to keep hopes alive for next round and this resulted into some nervousness and some playing shaky passing for the Egyptians in their crucial encounter against host Nation Russia.[spacer height=”30px”]
The match was in the spotlight even before it starts because of returning Egyptian star player Mohamed Salah, Salah did go on to score a consolation goal but it was not enough for African nation as hopes for reaching their first knockout round of the tournament are almost over for Egypt.[spacer height=”30px”]
Russia boosted by the home support and opening day 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia looked confident all over the pitch. On other side, Egyptians were wary of importance of this fixture so they were little shaky in controlling the ball and harried themselves to score without any actual buildup game play in the process.[spacer height=”30px”]
Salah was brought straight into squad and was only change for visitors starting lineup and was enlisted to play as right wing forward up the field, for Russia goal scorers from previous match Dzyuba and Cheryshev replaced striker Smolov and injured midfielder Dzagoev.[spacer height=”30px”]
TWICE "Going Crazy" was played as the BGM on the ending of SBS 2018 Russia World Cup Group A (Russia VS Egypt) 😂#TWICE #트와이스https://t.co/uQConyCrpg
— SK (@SubjectKpop) June 20, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Match started slowly for both Nations but Russia seemingly took control of the midfield eventually in first quarter of an hour. Egypt’s left winger Trezeguet’s curled an effort from outside the box which missed by mere inches.[spacer height=”30px”]
After that Egypt looked a much more improved side as they continued to press from right side of pitch. Striker Mohsen won two headers in box but both were off the target unfortunately for them.[spacer height=”30px”]
Russia’s compact defending was enough to keep Salah quiet in first half. Just 3 minutes before half time Salah won ball with excellent first touch and powerfully striked it just wide of the goalpost. That concluded the first half which saw more possession and shots for Egypt.[spacer height=”30px”]
In the second half Egypt started a few more positives from first half. But just after two minutes all hopes were shattered for them as a punching clearance from goalkeeper Shenawy was misplaced and resulting shot was deflected from Ahmed Fathy’s wrong foot resulting own goal.[spacer height=”30px”]
With a 3-1 victory, Russia all but qualified for the round of 16, while Egypt is essentially knocked out of the World Cup https://t.co/4n9NuDpzCp
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 19, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]After that match turned into a one sided affair and was fully into the hands of Russia as the Egyptians looked too frustrated and disappointed to do any actual buildup and constructive patient play for a goal. Most of their chances were from long passes and opposition’s misplaced passes. Salah came close again with shot but was saw his shot blocked well by Ignashevich at 55′ minutes.[spacer height=”30px”]
7′ minutes later right-back Mario Fernandez blasted into the Egyptian defense and provided a wonderful pass to Denis Cheryshev who blasted the ball into the net with his first touch. It was his third tournament goal, making him the joint top goal scorer with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Decision from manager Cherchesov of picking Dzyuba ahead of Smolov proved to be completely justified as 3′ minutes later from the second goal for Russia, Kutepov put long pass around rthe box for target striker Dzyuba who controlled it with his shoulder before bringing it down and blasting a perfect strike in goal. [spacer height=”30px”]
0-1 vs. Uruguay
1-3 vs. RussiaEgypt’s #WorldCup is all but wrapped up after two games 🤕 pic.twitter.com/HXkpkenEAc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 19, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Trezeguet had another shot at goal but it was wide again before being replaced by Hudderfield man Ramdan Sobhi. At the 72nd minute Egypt won a penalty after Salah was fouled at edge of the box and the official had initially ruled it as a foul just outside the box, then with the help VAR review the penalty was awarded after it showed the incident occurred inside box.[spacer height=”30px”]
Salah untroubled like the calm personality he is coolly slotted his penalty into the top corner of the net to give some hope for the Egyptian fans. As play progressed in final 15 minutes it became amply clear that Russia had one foot in Knockout stages already and it seemed like the end of the road for Salah and co.[spacer height=”30px”]
Colombia Vs Japan: The Most Significant Talking Points From The Match As Japan Made History
[spacer height=”30px”]Salah had another chance again at 87th minute which was blocked by excellent Russian defense once again, and that was all for the Egyptians.[spacer height=”30px”]
In post-match conference Egyptian Manger looked optimistic for their last match against Saudi Arabia, quoted[spacer height=”30px”]
“We will try end our World Cup Campaign in the best possible way”.
[spacer height=”30px”]What’s Next for Russia and Egypt ?:[spacer height=”30px”]
Russia now lead Group A with 6 points and remarkable goal difference of 7 and Egypt placed third and out of almost out of the race for first two spots in Group B. Russia will face Uruguay on next Monday which will decide leader of Group A and Egypt will face last placed Saudi Arabia on Monday for a consolation win.[spacer height=”30px”][spacer height=”30px”]
Man of the Match: Denis Cheryshev(Russia).