Mo Salah’s World Cup debut wasn’t the fairytale he would have hoped for.
Three-and-a-half weeks after suffering that shoulder injury in the Champions League final, Mo Salah made his return to competitive football. The Liverpool man started for Egypt in their second group game against hosts Russia.
Having lost their tournament opener to Uruguay through an 11th-hour winner, a draw was required to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Unfortunately, a comprehensive Russian win meant that Salah’s World Cup was over before it even really began.
47 minutes
After keeping the game scoreless for the first half, Egypt finally conceded at the 47-minute mark. The game’s opener was absolutely awful.
A terrible punch from Egyptian keeper El-Shenawy was followed swiftly by an even worse scuffed shot. That woeful effort was met by Fathy, who provided an own goal to cap off a comical move.
Russia 1-0 Egypt. A calamitous own goal from Fathi puts Russia in front and Egypt are in big trouble. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #EGY pic.twitter.com/AbIQEEsiBM
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2018
That poor Egyptian keeper saw the ball go between his legs as the Russians doubled their lead. To be fair, not many shot-stoppers would have been able to keep Cheryshev rocket of a shot out.
Russia 2-0 Egypt. Cheryshev doubles Russia's lead with a neatly taken goal and Russia are cruising. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #EGY pic.twitter.com/EKPuDl0c1P
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2018
The Russsian’s third goal was an absolute peach.
Dzyuba grabbed his second with a beautiful finish that left the keeper absolutely no chance of saving it.
Russia 3-0 Egypt. Dzyuba makes it three and Russia are on the verge of the next round #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #EGY pic.twitter.com/epwKe4s220
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2018
73 minutes in, Salah got his goal. Unfortunately, it was a mere consolation from the penalty spot.
Initially, it looked like the referee was going to award a free kick after Salah took a tumble. After consulting VAR, he pointed to the spot. Salah coolly converted.
Russia 3-1 Egypt. There's a glimmer of hope for Egypt as Mo Salah scores from the penalty spot, assisted by VAR #rtesoccer #worldcup #VAR #RUS #EGY pic.twitter.com/uCbMMUq4AJ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2018
The game finished 3-1 to the hosts.
