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Russia - Egypt

Russia 3-1 Egypt: Group A World Cup Russia 2018 goals, report

Russia are all but into the knockout stages after a second-half flurry saw off Egypt, for whom the returning Mo Salah scored from the spot.

Update:
Russia's midfielder Denis Cheryshev celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Egypt at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 19, 2018.  / AFP PHOTO / C
CHRISTOPHE SIMONAFP

Hosts Russia have one foot in the World Cup knockout stages after a 15-minute flurry of second-half goals saw them defeat Egypt, for whom the returning Mohamed Salah scored a late consolation from the spot.

Salah returns, but Egypt undone by 15-minute blitz

Egypt were boosted by Salah's return from injury for Tuesday's Group A clash in Saint Petersburg but, after a scoreless first 45, found themselves 3-0 down on the hour mark thanks to an Ahmed Fathy own goal and strikes by Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba.

In an encounter played at a frenetic pace throughout, Salah got one back with 20 minutes left when he converted a penalty awarded for a Yuri Zhirkov foul on the Liverpool ace - after a VAR review had led referee Enrique Cáceres to reverse his initial decision to give a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Russia defender Mario Fernandes celebrates after beating Egypt at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
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Russia defender Mario Fernandes celebrates after beating Egypt at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.PAUL ELLISAFP

Russia as good as through, Egypt as good as out

Russia, who have now hit eight goals in their two World Cup games, move onto six points from six and will be through to the last 16 - for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union - if Uruguay win or draw against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, pointless Egypt's group-stage elimination will also be confirmed if the Saudis fail to beat Uruguay.

Russia 3-1 Egypt, World Cup 2018: as it happened

Russia vs Egypt, World Cup 2018: preview

Hosts Russia have the chance to leave themselves with one foot in the World Cup knockout stages this evening (20:00 CEST) as they face an Egypt side who are expected to welcome star man Mohamed Salah back into their line-up.

The expectactions surrounding Stanislav Cherchesov’s side were not high coming into the finals, but a thumping 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday has left the Russians riding a wave of euphoria and within reach of progessing from the World Cup group stage for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

A victory tonight, coupled with anything other than an unexpected win for the Saudis over Uruguay in Group A's other round-two fixture tomorrow (16:00), would send Russia through to the last 16.

Denis Cheryshev, who scored two fine goals in the hammering of Saudi Arabia, is set to come into the side in Saint Petersburg in place of the injured Alan Dzagoev, while Yuri Zhirkov is fit despite having to train alone at the weekend.

Egypt expect Salah

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Salah is to have a late fitness test after missing Friday’s last-gasp 1-0 loss to Uruguay with the shoulder injury that he suffered in the Champions League final, with Pharaohs coach Héctor Cúper saying he is “optimistic” that the Liverpool forward will be able to play.

Ahmed Fathy and Tarek Hamed are both available to Cúper despite coming away from the defeat to Uruguay with injury issues.