Jubilant Russians fill streets after World Cup win over Egypt

Egyptian star Mo Salah has been in a race against time to get fit for the World Cup ever since suffering an injury in the Champions League final in May.

They will bang their hope on a miracle, an unlikely victory by Saudi Arabia against Uruguay in Group A’s other game on Wednesday, if they are to stay in the tournament. Russian Federation meanwhile were still riding the wave of positivity after their mauling of Saudi Arabia on day one. We don’t like these words. “We’ve dealt with difficulties as soon as they emerged”.

Like a string of pre-tournament injuries that ravaged the defence.

Cherchesov pointed out how “lively” his substitutes’ bench, whose inhabitants ran onto the pitch en masse upon the final whistle, had been over the past two games.

The Egyptians were handed a sucker punch a minute after the restart as captain Ahmed Fathi guided the ball into his own net to put the home nation 1-0 up.

It’s already a case of do-or-die for Egypt, as they look to secure the result they need to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup alive against hosts Russian Federation, who were impressive winners in the opening game.

Mohamed Salah (right) of Egypt reacts while players of Russia celebrate the 1-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group A preliminary round soccer match between Russia and Egypt in St.Petersburg, Russia.

“If he was not injured, it is very hard to know what would have happened”, Egypt coach Hector Cuper said.

“We are aware that Egypt doesn’t always manage what they need to do because they can not be number one at all times, so sometimes they just need to settle for number two”. “Maybe that meant his total physical ability was reduced”.

The 45-year-old was poised to become the oldest player in World Cup history last week, only for Egypt boss Hector Cuper to prefer Mohamed El-Shenawy for the opening Group A loss to Uruguay.

Those two scenarios would also eliminate Egypt.

“Perhaps we weren’t decisive enough but we have to recognise the great effort they have done after 28 years of Egypt not taking part in a World Cup”.

“Salah was feeling good to play, he was in shape. Sometime mistakes happen”, the Egypt coach added.