FIFA World Cup: Russia 2018
Last-gasp Winner Denies Salah-less Egypt First World Cup Point
Africa’s first representatives Egypt were left mouth-gaped by a late Jose Giminez winner bringing to a close a spirited encounter against Uruguay that had initially looked headed for a draw.
EGYPT 1-0 URUGUAY: Africa’s first representatives Egypt were left mouth-gaped by a late Jose Giminez winner bringing to a close a spirited encounter against Uruguay that had initially looked headed for a draw.
Key-man Mohamed Salah whose injury had been the source of media attention the last three weeks, was left to warm the bench.
Gaffer Hector Cuper was quoted only hours to the game affirming the Liverpool man will be arsenal ready for the opening fixture against Luis Suarez and co before opting to rest the 25-year-old.
The decision had many assuming it to be a ploy aimed at somewhat unsettling his opposing number in the dug-out over which player he gets to start.
Resting Salah was a gamble that nearly paid off until Giminez spoiled it for the Pharaohs who’d hoped bagging their first point of the World Cup.
Ahmed Fathy gave Uruguay’s net-minder Nestor Muslera his closest test, boomeranging in a long-range effort from the right. The Galatasary goalkeeper matched up to the task, gathering calmly.
Edison Cavani added to Uruguay’s circle of misses, planting his well-aimed shot from inside the box at the Egyptian keeper after being fed through by Suarez.
Photo credit: EPA Agency. Egyptian fans reacting to Uruguay’s late winning goal
It wasn’t until much later in the game that The Sky Blue outfit broke down Egypt’s resistance. First it began with PSG forward Cavani’s delectable free-kick crashing on the wood-work as the panic-stricken Pharaohs defence tried to ward off danger.
By then Jose Giminez had quickly repositioned himself, slotting in the rebound which meandered into the net in the 90th minute as a stunned Mo Salah and the Egyptian bench looked on in desolation.
Egypt now seats third in group A ahead of bottom-placed Saudi Arabia as Uruguay and hosts Russia headline the log.
It would be a do-or die affair for the North Africans on Tuesday when they slug it out with Russia.
Whether fully recuperated or not, Cuper now knows he faces a must-take decision to include Mohamed Salah in the next encounter to avoid heading back to Cairo early.
