Late Gimenez header sees Uruguay pass Egypt test: World Cup 2018, Group A
A late header from Atlético Madrid defender Jose Gimenez gave the South Americans all three points in their opening fixture. Mohamed Salah watched from the bench.
Egypt vs Uruguay: World Cup 2018, Group A - match report
This was billed as the excitement of Mohamed Salah for the underdogs against the potent strikeforce of Luis Suárez and Edison Cavani. In the end, the Liverpool player watched the full game from the bench, and the Barça-PSG attack had to thank Atlético Madrid defender Jose Gimenez for a late, late winner.
The first half was not one that'll make any impact on the summary reels of the group stage but there was enough interest in seeing how the two sides set up. Egypt offered more in terms of the flow of the game, and Uruguay struggled to break them down time and time again. There was little in terms of goal mouth activity and the best chance of the half fell to Suárez who couldn't guide a loose ball from a corner into the net. More was hoped for in the second period.
After the managers had had their say, the game seemed to take on more intensity. Spaces opened up, play moved from one end to the other, and some half chances presented themselves for both teams. Suárez missed two great chances - with some of the credit for this going to the impressive El Shenawi in the Egyptian goal - while efforts for Elneny and delivery into dangerous areas from El Said looked like they may open things up. As the game was drawing to a close, with a point for either side appearing fair, a free kick beside the corner flag allowed the Atleti pair Godin (who didn't put a foot wrong all game) and Gimenez to step forward. The latter rose and headed home firmly.
Egypt vs Uruguay: World Cup 2018, Group A - how it happened
Egypt vs Uruguay: World Cup 2018, Group A - match preview
African side Egypt come in to this world cup led by manager Hector Cuper but with many of the hopes hanging on their star player, Mohamed Salah. Uruguay make the trip from South America with a greater prospect of success and with long-term coach Oscar Taberez pulling the strings, and a relatively kind group to ease the players in, optimism back home is high that the sky blue shirts will be seen in the latter stages of the competition.
Egypt
Salah has been making the headlines all season in the build-up to Fifa's showpiece tournament. Premier League top scorer, individual awards, runner-up in the Champions League (a final where his injury may have been decisive) and then the clock ticking to his return from that knock. All eyes have been on the man who has put Egyptian football on the map over the last 12 months. There are, of course, several others in the squad capable of making a name for themselves, and they'll all have to play their part if the African side is to make it out of this group.
Uruguay
With a front line of Barcelona's Luis Suárez and PSG's Edison Cavani, goals are not expected to be in short supply for this Uruguay side. But it is in other areas of the pitch that Tabarez has been building across his 12 years in charge (since returning for another spell). If he can get the supporting cast to function effectively then Uruguay could be a contender out of the second or third level of teams at this year's tournament to surprise a few. Keep an eye out for Juventus' Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park.