Egypt Exits World Cup After Losing to Russia

The Pharaohs of Egypt became the first team to be eliminated from the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup after losing 3-1 to hosts Russia.

Egypt finally started with their talisman Mohamed Salah on the pitch but it was Russia who nearly had a goal scoring chance just two minutes in after some steady passing in their own half. Egypt’s Mohamed Trezeguet gave the ball away with a wild cross pass which Cheryshev intercepted and toed it immediately through to Dzyuba, but the lanky forward failed to get it under control.

The first chance of the match fell to Dennis Cheryshev who retrieved a half cleared free kick but his shot from over 20 yards sailed past the post. Russia were controlling the match for most of the first half with little spells of possession for Egypt.

Three minutes from break, Abdelshafy’s low pass found Mo Salah at the edge of the area. Pestered by Zhirkov, the little magician tried a curly left-footed shot but it went agonizingly wide.

After a drab affair in the first half, Russia came out of the dressing room with a lot of intent, breaking the deadlock just two minutes in when Roman Zobnin’s shot found its way into the box and was turned into the net by Ahmed Fathy’s attempted clearance.

The hosts turned their groove on as former Real Madrid player Cheryshev scored his third goal of the tournament.

Dzyuba made it 3-0 after he took a lofted ball into the box down on his chest, beat the on-rushing Ali Gabr and put it past El-Shenawy.

Mo Salah pulled one back for Egypt in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot but it was a little bit too late as Russia held on to win and breezed in the round of 16.

Russia XI: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobin; Samedov, Golovin, Cheryshev; Dyzuba.

Egypt XI: El-Shenawy; Fathr, Gabr, Hegazi, Abdel-Shafy; Elneny, Hamed; Salah, Said, Trezeguet; Mohsen.