As it happened - FIFA World Cup 2018: Uruguay beats Egypt 1-0

Uruguay were lethargic for the majority of the game but pulled off a win at the end with a header. Egypt will be disappointed with the late goal from Jose Gimenez but showed promise with their well organised and dynamic defence. Egypt certainly needs Mohamed Salah back as they lacked inspiration up-front. On the other hand, Uruguay needs to get their strikers involved as they go deep in the tournament. Egypt will eye three points when they play hosts Russia next while Uruguay will be happy with the start and face minnows Saudi Arabia next. 

 

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FULL TIME!  Uruguay holds on to its reputation as they win their first opening match at a World Cup after 1970.  So far so close for Eygpt as they nearly pulled-off a draw, but credit to goalkeeper  ElShenawy and Trezeguet for an impressive performance for the most part of the game. Uruguay take crucial three points after a late solitary goal. Egypt's toughest game in group A is over, they take on Russia next. Uruguay need to answer certain questions but would fancy their chance of qualifying for the knockout stage in their next game against minnows Saudi Arabia. 

 

What a finish! #WorldCup@Uruguay leave it late, but do enough to get the win. #EGYURU 0-1 pic.twitter.com/UmKN1f6YwO — FIFA World Cup  (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018

 

90+5 minute: Yellow Card! Ahmed Hegazy is booked for fouling Luis Suarez.

Five minutes of stoppage time

90 minute: GOAL!!! Jose Giminez heads one into the top corner, off  Sanchez's cross in the stoppage time. Uruguay 1-0 Egypt. 

87 minute: Freekick for Uruguay, that could be dangerous. Another brilliant save from Shenawy. 

83 minute: WHAT A SAVE!! ElShenawy stops a powerful volley from Edinson Cavani, Shenawy seems on course to a clean sheet. 

81 minute: Substitution for Egypt, Ramadan Sobhi in for Amr Warda.

80 minute: Uruguay are still searching their rhythm as the tempo seems to be shifting to the african side. 

76 minute: Diego Godin is not happy with the pass from Sanchez. Once again, Uruguay have failed to capitalize on the final-third. They need to crack the Eygptian code to make something happen. 

73 minute: Suarez misses another golden opportunity, as goalkeeper Shenawy dives to snatch the ball. Suarez cuts a frustrated figure. 

68 minute: Substitute  Cristian Rodriguez is trying to wake up the tired South American side.

65 minute: Suarez gets the ball to the left, but the Egyptian defence blocks his cross. 

62 minute:  Egypt coach Cuper Hector substitutes Kahraba in place of Marwan Mohsen. Egypt fancies their chances, with a change in the attack up-front.  

57 minute:  Another substitution from Uruguay, Cristian Rodriguez in for De Arrascaeta

57 minute: Substitution for Uruguay- Carlos Sanchez in for Nahitan Nandez.

53 minute: Egypt's Trezeguet is continuing to threaten Uruguay with his pace, but Egypt lack inspiration up-front. Mo-Salah, cry the crowd.

Uruguay needs to inject urgency into their play. 

49 minute: First Substitution Sam Morsy in for Tarek Hamed. 

48 minute: Tarek Hamed limps out of the pitch. Tarek was the most effective in the Egyptian side. 

46 minute: Luis Suarez shoots one on target, brilliant save by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Shenawy. 

Second-half: The players back on the pitch, Egypt have been well-organized despite Salah's absense, but the North-Africans forwards need to get their act together to win this match. 

Uruguay needs to press harder, but the biggest question around the world right now, will we finally see Mohamed Salah in the second-half? 

 

We're in danger of losing our five goals per game average at the FIFA #WorldCup#EGYURU 0-0 pic.twitter.com/WA8VjbQKIT — FIFA World Cup  (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018

 

Fun fact- Uruguay have not won any of their last six opening matches at a World cup. 

Half-time:  Egypt 0-0 Uruguay. Egypt will be the happier side after a goalless first-half. Barcelona star, Luis Suarez is clearly frustrated as Uruguay have failed to get their forwards involved. 

45 minute: 1 minute stoppage time. A counter-attack from Uruguay but once again fail get past the defence. 

42 minute: Cavani chips one in from the back post but the Egypt defence have no trouble clearing the ball. 

40 minute:  Egypt are threatening Uruguay from the left but fail to execute the ball in the middle as forwards from both the teams are pushing hard to find space. 5 minutes to Half-time. 

Pretty even so far. #EGYURU 0-0 pic.twitter.com/hHDuylFeXY — FIFA World Cup  (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018

 

36 minute: Cavani forces the ball into the final-third but Eygpt's goalkeeper Shenawy saves it comfortably. 

30 minute:  Freekick on a dangerous position for Egypt. Suarez's shot fails to get past the Egyptian defence. 

26 minute: Signs of aggression from Uruguay, Luiz Suarez could be the difference between both sides. 

23 minute:  Second corner for Uruguay, Luiz Suarez, the all-time leading goal scorer for Uruguay, fails to hit the target. 

22 minute: First corner of the match for Uruguay. 

19 minute: Uruguay struggle for rhythm, fail to capitalize on possession. Egypt are holding the ball brilliantly. 

17 minute:  Egypt are pushing hard and forcing the Uruguay goalkeeper into the action. 

14 minute: Freekick for Egypt at a threatening position. Mohamed Elneny chips the ball, but Uruguay defenders head the ball out of danger. 

13 minute: Suarez hits a wide shot, as Uruguay breach into the penalty box. 

10 minute: Egypt threaten in the final third, Trezeguet attempts a shot on goal but Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera stops the feeble shot. 

8 minute: Finally a shot on goal by Edinson Cavani but Egyptian goalkeeper plunges on to the ball. 

 6 minute: Uruguay enjoy early possession but Egypt hold a tight line.

All is well: Cavani gets up. 

3 minute: Trezeguet brings down Cavani, the PSG star rolls in pain. 

Kick Off: Referee Kuipers Bjorn blows the whistle, the second match of the World cup is underway. 

Interestingly, Uruguay have never lost a World Cup match to an African side. 

FORMATIONS // #EGYURU

Here are how the teams are looking in Ekaterinburg...#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/G8AJ4Q5gVC — FIFA World Cup  (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018

 

 

We have our teams for the first match of the day!

What are your thoughts? #EGYURU #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JO5lliB7CB — FIFA World Cup  (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018

 

Line-ups of Egypt vs Uruguay are out

Coach Cuper Hector decides to bench Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are starting for Uruguay 

Egypt XI- Ahmed Fathy, Abdallah Said, Mohamed Shafy, Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed Hegazi, Ali Gabr, Marwan Mohsen, Mohamed Elneny, Trezeguet, Tarek Hamed. 

Uruguay XI- Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Martin caceres, fernando Muslera, Diego Godin, Matias Vecino, Guillermo Varela, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Jose Gimenez, Nahitan Nandez, Rodrigo Bentancur 
 

Squad

Egypt: Goalkeepers - Sherif Ekramy, Essam El Hadary, Mohamed Elshenawy. Defenders - Mohamed Abdelshafy, Ayman Ashraf, Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Fathi, Ali Gabr, Mahmoud Hamdy, Ahmed Hegazy, Samir Saad. Midfielders - Omar Gaber, Tarek Hamed, Sam Morsy, Abdalla Said, Trezeguet. Forwards - Kahraba, Marwan Mohsen, Mohamed Salah, Shikabala, Ramadan Sobhy, Amr Warda

Uruguay: Goalkeepers - Martin Campana, Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva. Defenders - Martin Caceres, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin, Maximiliano Pereira, Gaston Silva, Guillermo Varela. Midfielders - Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Rodrigo Bentancur, Diego Laxalt, Nahitan Nandez, Cristian Rodriguez, Carlos Sanchez, Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, Jonathan Urretaviscaya. Forwards - Edinson Cavani, Maximiliano Gomez, Cristhian Stuani, Luis Suarez