Salah’s Egypt leave 2018 World Cup pointless after loss to Saudi

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah found the back of the net a second time at the 2018 FIFA World Cup but it wasn’t enough to earn his country a win at the tournament as Saudi Arabia came from behind to win.

Egypt returned to the mundial for the first time in 28 years, but their return has turned out not to be a thing of joy as they failed to pick up a point in three matches.

The Pharaohs were already out of the competition having lost two matches in Group A of the Russia showpiece, but hoped to end their participation on a high in the final game at the Volgograd Stadium on Monday.

Saudi Arabia were definitely with a similar hope having also been beaten in their previous two games. The Arabians successfully earned their first win in a World Cup since 1994 by overcoming Egypt.

Salah missed out of their opening match against Uruguay due to injury. He was fielded against Russia and scored a penalty in the defeat. He increased his tally to two with a fine finish against Saudi 22 minutes into the game.

Read Also: Suarez, Cavani score as Uruguay thrash Russia to win World Cup group

45-year-old Essam El Hadary, who is the oldest footballer to play at the World Cup, became the 4th goalkeeper to save a penalty on his World Cup debut since 1966 when he stopped Saudi from equalising from Fahad Al-Muwallad’s spot kick in the 41st minute.

But the Saudis later got back into the game after Al-Muwallad went down inside the Egypt penalty area after a tug on his shirt by Ali Gabr, and a penalty was awarded by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

El Hadary was again tested on the stroke of half half, and was beaten by Salman Al-Faraj who lashed home Saudi Arabia’s first goal of the tournament.

After the break, the game was heading to a 1-1 draw until Salem Al-Dawsari won it for Saudi Arabia with an angled low finish – with the last kick of the game – as Egypt’s defence switched off.

Both sides are however out, as Uruguay and hosts Russia finished as winners and runners-up of the Group A respectively.

Uruguay thrashed Russia 3-0 in their own match played concurrently at the Samara Stadium.

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