Russia 3-1 Egypt: Russia Virtually Through2 min read

First game of match day 2.

Mohammed Salah finally starts, after false promise last game, against the host nation who have comfortably won 5-0 against Saudi Arabia. This means a win will see them qualify and Egypt virtually knocked out.

First Half

Shot by Denis Cheryshev on the 18^th minute after a poor freekick just went above the bar.

Yuri Gazinskiy crossed the ball to the target man Artem Dzyuba which skimmed his head on the 22^nd minute.

A miscommunication between Ahmed Hegazi and the goal keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy almost allowed Russia to take the lead.

 The Russian side attempted to exploit Egypt’s weakness from crossing the ball from the flanks to their target man Dzyuba.

33^rd minute Mohamed Shafy outside foot cross almost landed on Salah’s feet but was intercepted by Yuri Zhirkov inside the box in the 35^th minute.

Mohamed Elneny’s cross to Marwan Mohsen was easily caught by the keeper after a counter started when the ball hit the referee 5 minutes before half time.

41^st minute Salah’s first chance on goal after a half turn just went wide.

Half time Russia 0-0 Egypt

Egypt needs to find a goal otherwise they are virtually out while Russia will qualify.

Second Half

GOAL – Ahmed Fathy (OG) – 47^th minute – Russia 1-0 Egypt

The goal keeper punched the ball from Aleksandr Golovin’s cross instead of catching it which landed on Roman Zobnin’s feet, but a poor shot was deflected by Fathy into the goal.

As it stands Egypt will be virtually eliminated from the World Cup and Russia will qualify.

Russia is exploiting the right flank where Salah was instructed to stay up front.

55^th minute Salah shot was blocked inside the box.

GOAL – Denis Cheryshev – 59^th minute – Russia 2-0 Egypt

A great run by the Russian full back Mario Fernandes crosses the ball to Cheryshev who slotted it into the goal.  

GOAL – Artem Dzyuba – 62^nd minute – Russia 3-0 Egypt

2 goals in 3 minutes after a calm finish by Dzyuba.

It seems like there was no way in for Egypt after poor passes and no threat inside the box.

Shot wide when Salah laid it off for Trezeguet but not a threat for the keeper.

The referee wrongly points a freekick outside the box when Salah was pulled inside the box, but VAR gave the penalty.

GOAL – Mohammed Salah – 73^rd minute – Russia 3-1 Egypt

A good penalty went past the keeper but it’s probably a bit to late.

8 goals in the first two games for Russia is an impressive start for the hosts.

Full time Russia 3-1 Egypt

The goal scoring started in the second half and it kept on coming for Russia while Egypt failed to stop them even though Mohammed Salah took one back from the penalty spot.

Russia and possibly Uruguay are through to the last 16 of the World Cup in Group A.