Egypt 0-1 Uruguay
Jose Gimenez rose to head a dramatic late winner for Oscar Tabarez’ Uruguay, taking control of Group A and breaking Egyptian hearts.
Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are arguably the most feared strike partnership at FIFA 2018 and they had plenty of chances to score, but it took Atletico Madrid defender Gimenez to end Uruguay’s frustration on 90 minutes. It was hard on the Pharaohs who had fought for their lives, particularly keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy.
Highlights of the game
The big FIFA 2018 news for Egypt fans was the non-appearance of Mo Salah in the starting line-up, which came as a hefty blow as yesterday they had been led to believe he had a great chance of starting.
But Hector Cuper was always going to set up his team to defend deep and counter on the break, and in the first half it worked a treat. The West Brom pair Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazi was solid in the centre of Egypt’s defence. And while they had work to do, there were very few major scares for the underdogs.
Cavani and Suarez have both had spectacular club seasons and are SBOBET tips for the Golden Boot. And they did have two sights of goal each in the opening half. Cavani tried one from distance early on, and then Suarez was on the end of a sweeping move but the shot weakly went wide.
Faced with two red banks of four, Uruguay tried to up the tempo. Cavani made space for himself cleverly before smashing a shot from 20 yards, only to see it headed over. Then Suarez missed another good chance after Diego Godin flicked on a near-post header the ball found the Barca man, but he scooped his shot into the side netting.
As Egypt continued to stifle Uruguay’s momentum, Tarek Hamed was busy in the midfield, closing Suarez down on numerous occasions. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Trezeguet looked lively up front, trying to inspire his team.
Atletico’s Godin was immense at the heart of Uruguay’s defence, and you could see his frustration with his forwards as the half came to a close.
There must have been some harsh words in the Uruguay dressing room at half-time as they came out on the attack, and Suarez was denied a goal on 48 minutes when El-Shenawy bravely blocked his fierce shot. There was much more intent in the Uruguay ranks as they pinged the ball around. But Trezeguet remained a speedy
threat on the break, and not afraid to try his luck from distance.
As the second half unfolded Egypt began to weather the early storm, but it came back with a vengeance. Cavani first put Suarez clean through, but his partner was strangely slow to pull the trigger and the ball was smothered.
Then, on 82 minutes El-Shenawy made a brilliant save from Cavani as the PSG man hit a beautiful volley. And as the pressure cranked up, Cavani hit a peach of a free-kick only to see it crash back off the post. Egypt thought they may have got away with it until Gimenez rose like a salmon to head brilliantly home.
Key statistics
Uruguay came into this game with three consecutive wins and having won the only previous meeting between the two, so a win looked likely and with 58 per cent possession and a hatful of chances it was well-deserved.
It’s the first time Uruguay has won its opening fixture since 1970, while Egypt has been seven times African champions but has never won a World Cup game, making a first appearance for 28 years.
What’s next?
Russia are up next for Egypt, and if Mo Salah is fit then I can see a very tight game there. The hosts’ destruction of Saudi Arabia in the opening match really launched the tournament, with substitute Denis Cheryshev scoring two delightful goals.
When the groups were drawn, FIFA 2018 odds expected Uruguay and Egypt to progress from Group A, but Russia livened things up, and how.
Uruguay should wipe the floor with Saudi Arabia, and if Suarez and Cavani can hit their straps, we might well see another big score.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE WORLD CUP 2018 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
