Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt: The End of the Journey

Egypt played Saudi Arabia in their last World Cup game in 2018 after both teams failed to win points in the campaign so far.

Egypt’s Yasser Al-Mosailem made World Cup history becoming the oldest player to feature in the World Cup at the age of 45 years and 161 days old, beating the previous record holder of Columbia’s keeper Faryd Mondragon who was 43 years and 3 days in the 2014 World Cup.

Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah scored his second World Cup goal after lobbing the goalkeeper from a long ball from Egypt’s defensive half by Abdallah El-Said in the 22^nd minute.

However, 2 minutes later, Saudi Arabia allowed Salah to break again which allowed him to be one on one the goalkeeper, but he shot it wide.

In the 39^th minute, Saudi Arabia received a penalty after Yasir Al Shahrani cross was blocked by Ahmed Fathy’s swinging arm but the decision seemed harsh – after all Fathy was not watching the ball when his arm was swinging.

Saudi’s Fahad Al Muwallad’s penalty shot was saved by the keeper adding to another record to his name in the 41^st minute.

This brought spurs of celebrations within the Egyptian squad but the referee pointed to the spot for Saudi Arabia again after Ali Gabr fouled Al Muwallad in extra time of the first half but VAR delayed the game up to 4 minutes.

Eventually, the referee stood by his original decision and booked Gabr.

Salman Al Faraj took over penalty duties and scored in the 6^th minute of extra time.

Saudi Arabia came into the second half with intentions to win the game with Mohannad Aseri’s header forcing the goalkeeper to perform a brilliant save in the 70^th minute.

Egypt wasted opportunities that they should have scored but Saudi Arabia stole the win with an extra time goal by Salem Al Dawsari in the 95^th minute.

The game ended Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt allowing Saudi Arabia to win their first game of the 2018 World Cup while Egypt failed to secure a single point since their long absence of the World Cup.

The difference was Saudi Arabia wanted to gain something from this World Cup while Egypt looked deflated after their hopes were crushed in their last game.

The Egyptian goalkeeper El Hadary’s World Cup debut ended with saving a penalty and gaining a man of the match award but ended up in the losing side which he did not deserve.

Source of Image: BBC