2018 FIFA World Cup- Uruguay 1 Egypt 0- Match Report
Match Report- Last gasp Giménez header gives La Celeste all three points against Egypt
Mitch Freeley
Match Report
Jose Gimenez spared the blushes of Uruguay's all-star forwards with a 90th-minute winner to see off Egypt 1-0 in their World Cup opener.
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani each passed up opportunities to clinch the points against a Pharaoh's side who kept Mohamed Salah on the bench, but it was centre-back Gimenez who proved the hero.
After the excitement of Group A rivals Russia's goal frenzy a day earlier, there was a serious lack of invention on show in Ekaterinburg.
Suarez missed two golden opportunities as goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy excelled, before Cavani struck the post with a late free-kick, seemingly sealing a point for Egypt on their return to the finals.
But Gimenez rose highest to meet a set-piece and bury a header past El-Shenawy, celebrating a fine end to a week in which he signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid.
Egypt offered little in Salah's absence and are now under pressure heading into a clash with Russia, while Uruguay - and particularly Suarez - can breathe a sigh of relief.
Live Updates!
Second Half
Peep! Full time and Uruguay come away with the 1-0 win. That harsh on a spirited Egypt side, who can draw plenty of positives despite the defeat. However a late header from José Giménez is the difference maker. Match report to follow.
90+5 Suarez flops to the floor, Hergazi picks up a yellow for the tackle. That's it! Game over
90+3 Cavani playing keep ball in the corner. A classic time-wasting ruse from the PSG forward.
90- Five minutes of football to be played here. Uruguay is pushing for a second...
89- Goal! Uruguay take a late lead! Giménez towers above everyone to head the ball in! Desperately unluky for Egypt! 1-0 La Celeste!
88- POST! Cavani's freekick cracks the upright! Egypt somehow get it away! Nervy stuff this for Pharaoh's fans.
86- Cavani is bundled down. A dangerous free kick this!
85- In the confusion, Ramadan Sobhi seems to be on. That means no Salah today ladies and gentleman. A wise move with Saudi & Russia coming up.
82- Suarez and Cavani link up. Cavani cracks a shot towards goal which is saved well by El-Shenawy.
81- That was close, after playing around in the Uruguay box ElNeny has a shot, which sails over.
78-Kahraba sprints down the left wing! His drilled cross evades everyone. So close Egypt!
74- Cavani plays on Suarez who attempts to round El-Shenawy, the Egyptian keeper is equal to it and dives down to gather the ball from the feet of the striker.
72- Egypt on the attack, Ahmed Fathy attempts the shot which is saved by Muslera.
70- Cavani, who has been quiet by all accounts swipes a shot into the arms of Cáceres in the penalty area. Handball, Egypt win the freekick.
67- Egypt tap the ball around with intent on the right hand side, but can't quite get the ball into the box. Uruguay clear the ball.
62- First sub for Egypt. Moshen makes way and Kahraba which is "electricity" in Arabic... Let's hope he can light up the game (I'm here all week)
60- An hour into the contest an Egypt have been solid. It's going to take something special for Uruguay to break them down.
58- Another sub for La Celeste de Arrascaeta wanders off and is replaced by Christian Rodrigez. Óscar Tabárez is changing it up!
56- Trézéguet has epitomised Egypt in this half, scampering away on the breakaway. Meanwhile, Uruguay makes their first sub. Nandez walks and is replaced by Sanchez.
53- A game of football is breaking out here. Egypt battling for every ball and looking dangerous on the break. If only they had a difference maker on the bench...
48- Hamed is clattered in midfield. It looks like his game is over. Sam Morsy of Wigan looks like he is warming up.
45- Chance for Uruguay! The best chance of the game! Suarez wriggles through, but the Barca man in denied by the reflexes of Egyptian keeper El-Shenawy.
Peep- Egypt get us back underway!
First Half
45- Peep! Half-time! Anyone who predicted some kind of Uruguay romp will be eating their words now! Egypt has defended well and looked dangerous on the break. 0-0. Join me in 15 after I have a large cup of tea.
45- One minute of extra time to play!
42- Egypt get the ball into the box, El-Said attempts a overhead kick and ends up in a heap on the floor. Uruguay clear their lines.
37- La Celeste are have been upping the pressure in the last few minutes, but the Egytian defence has remained firm.
36- Uruguay knock in a cross aimed at Cavani, El-Shenawy gathers with ease.
34- The Egyptian fans have ramped up the noise in the last few minutes. It's worked so far the Pharaohs are doing well.
31- Luis Suarez attempts a shot on goal from a free-kick a full 35 yards out, which thumps against the Egyptian wall.
30- Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny who I highlighted as a man to watch (Just look at the preview below) has equipped himself very well in the center of the park so far. A hive of activity.
29- Uruguay midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta has a long distance shot which skips just wide. A bit of "swaz" and that could of found the back of the net.
27- I have been impressed by Egypt so far. Compact in defence, dynamic moving forward.
25- Marwan Mohsen has a tame shot which is easily saved by Muslera
22- Cavani cracks a peach of a left foot volley. Ali Gabr gets a head in the way of the shot. Urugay waste the corner.
21- Uruguay wins a corner, after Egypt captain Ahmed Fathy battles past two challenges.
19- Egypt is holding their own here, keeping the ball well. Just as I type that El Said attempts a ridiculous through ball which goes out of play.
16- El Said clips the ball into the box, Uruguay being Uruguay head the danger away.
15- Warda Salah's replacement in the side wins a free-kick in a dangerous position... Hello...
14- Mohamed Salah watch- He looks pensive on the bench. I think he might come on later.
12- A guilt edge chance for Uruguay, the ball is shipped to the right-hand side before being cut back to Luis Suarez. The shot thunders wide.
11- Chance for Egypt! After neat build-up play Mahmoud Hassan aka Trézéguet has a snapshot, Muslera is even to it.
8- First chance of note- Cavani sweeps a shot towards the bottom left-hand corner from outside the box. Ahmed El-Shenawy saves with ease.
7- Uruguay is enjoying plenty of the ball at the minute with Egypt sitting deep. It's been a solid start from the Pharaohs
5- Heart in mouth time for West Brom man Ahmed Hegazi, his misplaced pass is nearly picked up by Luis Suarez, but the Barca man cannot quite reach the ball. That was a let-off!
3- Hamed clatters into Cavani with a clumsy challenge. The PSG man winces but carries on.
Peep- So can a Salah-less Egypt trouble Uruguay? Let's find out! Uruguay who are decked out in their all-white away strip get the party started! GAME ON!
Preamble!
Right! We are nearly all set to go in Ekaterinburg! You can watch all the live stream of the action via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. Those National Anthems are sounding magnificent!
Also a quick side-note... The last time Luis Suarez was at the World Cup for his country he had a nibble on Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder. I hope for his sake he won't be repeating those antics in Russia!
.@LuisSuarez9 makes his first #WorldCup appearance since biting @chiellini... Expect him to stay out of trouble?#beINRussia #beINFWC #EGYURU pic.twitter.com/fUZgKcAFQW — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
A word on Uruguay, who have one of the most experienced sides in the tournament. The side certainly has the talent to go deep into the competition in Russia. I wonder if Egypt can pull off an upset this afternoon.
No side present in Russia boasts more #WorldCup experience than #URU!#beINRussia #beINFWC pic.twitter.com/4flV8JGQIe — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
It's not all about the World Cup (although it really is) why not enjoy a sweet, neat hit of News! Including some interesting news on former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Today's #WorldCup News!
⚽ Salah only fit enough for #EGY bench
⚽ Ramos says Lopetegui shock won't upset #ESP
⚽ Bielsa named news #LUFC manager#beINRussia #beINFWC
- pic.twitter.com/EKOiwFTtOn — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
Now a breakdown of the teams. Egypt going with a 4-2-3-1 today, and as successfully predicted by myself Uruguay is going with the old dependable 4-4-2. Lovely Job! Just 30 minutes to game time!
#EGYURU starting lineups 👇#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HxZNcbVzhs — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
A quick reminder, if you fancy watching the action on TV you can watch Angus & the gang including former USA international Christopher Sullivan you can log in and stream via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
📺 MAX HD3: Our #EGY vs #URU buildup is underway!
Joining @AngusScott in the studio today: Alex McLeish, @SULLIVANFUTBOL & Paul Robinson!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JzDv5Y6NvD — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
Oh, we have the team sheets in for both sides! It's a full strength Uruguay side! Cavani and Suarez start up front, and La Celeste seems to be going with a 4-42 formation for the game.
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
Right! So that's the big team news for Egypt out of the way! We are just an hour away from kick off in Ekaterinburg. Let's wet your whistle with the World Cup warm-up with the guys from the Express who look over the major talking points on day 2 of the World Cup!
⚽ Here's your #WorldCup warm-up with @MCATEER4, @CrosbyNicky & @aleduc!
🤷 We have no script so let us know what we should talk about! Tweet using #beINExpress https://t.co/SskKqtvue5 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
So the big news is that Salah will be on the bench for Egypt against Uruguay. Only yesterday had Egypt boss Hector Cuper said "I can almost assure you 100 per cent that he'll play, we are all very optimistic that he will be on the pitch,"
Still, it seems wise not to start the Liverpool star, especially with winnable games ahead against Saudi Arabia and hosts Russia. 24-year old Amr Warda is set to replace the PFA player of the year in the starting line up!
إليكم تشكيل #الفراعنة لمباراة اليوم
🆚 @Uruguay #روسيا2018#ThePharaohs#egy pic.twitter.com/3p5NDudg7A — Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 15, 2018
Good afternoon! Welcome to the Live Updates for Egypt Vs Uruguay! The Pharaohs are set for their first Wolrd Cup game in 28 years against an experienced Uruguay. We also have some pretty big team news for you involving that man Mohamed Salah... onwards to the team sheets!
Preview
Egypt is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1990, but the pharaohs face a tough test against an experienced Uruguay side in their opening game of the 2018 World Cup. The game will take place at the Ekaterinburg Arena Stadium. As ever you can watch a live stream of the match Live & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Egypt will be targeting an opening day victory against their South American rivals and will be leaning on the experience of head coach Héctor Cúper to outthink the Uruguayans in Ekaterinburg. Cúper, 64 is heading to his first World Cup as a manager but after over three decades of club management, the Argentine coach should have more than enough experience to get the better of his opponents.
Much of the pre-match talk has been around the fitness of Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah, and if the winger will be fit enough to play the opener after injuring his shoulder in a clash with Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final.
With the fitness of Salah a major concern, it will mean that Mohamed Elneny will have to play a key role if the Pharaohs are to come away with a positive result. The Arsenal player is likely to start in central midfield and will be charged by disrupting the Uruguay midfield.
Egypt Predicted Team
El Hadary; Abdel-Shafi, Gabr, Hegazy, Ahmed Fathi, Hamed, Elneny, Sobhi, Said, Warda; Mohsen
How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 15:00
Stadium- Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
As for Uruguay, they are in their third consecutive World Cup and will be quietly confident of getting out of Group A and going far in the knock out stages.
La Celeste boss Óscar Tabárez is the longest-serving coach at the tournament, and this will be his fourth World Cup managing his country. Tabárez will be hoping that his side will be able to hit the ground running and grab all three points ahead of their second group game against Saudi Arabia.
Edison Cavani will be the man to watch for Uruguay against Egypt. The PSG attacker has a fine season in front of goal domestically scoring 28 goals in the league. His presence and danger from set-pieces will be a useful asset for La Celeste who will be looking to break down the Egyptian backline.
Uruguay Predicted Team
Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Bentancur, Torreira; Rodriguez, Arrascaeta, Suarez; Cavani
It promises to be an interesting match as Egypt take on Uruguay in their first World Cup game in 28 years. You can watch all the action Live & Exclusive on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.