Russia’s 3-1 win over Egypt at Saint Petersburg Stadium has almost guaranteed the hosts a place in the Round of 16 while Mohamed Salah and the Pharaohs have been all but eliminated from the World Cup. After failing to come off the bench in Egypt’s devastating 1-0 opening defeat to Uruguay, Salah was unable to make his presence felt Tuesday until earning and converting a conciliatory penalty in the 73rd minute.
By that point, an Ahmed Fathy own goal, Denis Cheryshev’s third goal of the tourney and Artem Dzyuba’s ballerina-meets-battering ram effort had given Russia an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Although Russia’s opening day 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia had been a huge talking point, the buildup to the match was dominated by Salah’s World Cup debut. After three weeks on the sidelines, Egypt needed the Liverpool ace to carry them as he had done throughout qualifying.
Mohamed Salah is making his #WorldCup debut for Egypt after recovering from a shoulder injury. He scored 71% of the team's goals in qualifying rounds. pic.twitter.com/qIw5MM5jyk
— AJ+ (@ajplus) June 19, 2018
A strong contingent of Egypt supporters had somehow managed to create a boisterous pocket of noise in the 65,000-seat stadium, and they pinned their hopes on the recently turned 26-year-old.
The stadium erupted when Mohamed Salah’s name was called out! pic.twitter.com/YLfsD4wXSp
— Egyptian Players - Ahmad Yousef (@EgyptianPlayers) June 19, 2018
Would he be able to sprint? Had he heeded the advice of Sergio Ramos and taken an injection? Could he shift the ball onto his left foot and crush the hopes of the home nation?
#MundialTelemundo ¡Sonríe! @MoSalah ya hace el calentamiento previo con #EGY para enfrentar a #RUS pic.twitter.com/dqExWn4aJ3
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 19, 2018
No. Not in the opening 45.
19 - Mohamed Salah has had fewer touches than any other Egyptian outfield player in the first half against Russia. Search. pic.twitter.com/beR9WklLng
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 19, 2018
He could sprint, but his touch looked a bit off, and he sure as shit wasn’t about to go into a 50-50 shoulder barge with Yuri Zhirkov.
The first 17 minutes of the second half were a disaster for Egypt. Two minutes after the restart, Ahmed Fathy swiveled an off-balance strike into his own net. 12 minutes after that, Cheryshev guided his effort in with the goal at his mercy.
With Egypt well and truly on tilt, Dzyuba completed the limestone pyramid and put the deceased Pharaohs deep inside while closing the crypt, leaving them with only a little window aimed towards Orion’s Belt to look at.
#MundialTelemundo ¿Otra goleada? Artem Dzyuba parece poner sentencia en el duelo entre #RUS ante #EGY y así lo narra @CopanAlvarez pic.twitter.com/0yPh7gxdle
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 19, 2018
Salah got his goal in the 73rd minute after a lazy tug just inside the top of the box felled the Liverpool man. He took his penalty with supreme confidence.
#MundialTelemundo ¡El del descuento! @CopanAlvarez narra así el cobro de penal de @MoSalah pic.twitter.com/k4ORGhhbQO
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 19, 2018
But this Egyptian side isn’t built to overturn deficits — it’s makeup was largely built around defending doggedly and hitting Salah on the counter. His presence certainly would’ve helped against Uruguay, but all credit must go to Russia for another entertaining performance.
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