Russia 3-1 Egypt
They’ll be partying across Russia tonight after the World Cup 2018 hosts blew Egypt away in a devastating three-goal spell at the start of the second half.
Anyone who thought their opening day win was a flash in the pan will be thinking again after Stanislav Cherchesov’s team put a dangerous Egypt to the sword. So much has been written and talked of all around the world about the return of Egypt’s maestro, Mo Salah, and the Pharaohs’ end of the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg erupted as he emerged from the tunnel.
But there was little Salah or his side could do as the Russians went on the charge after a goalless first half. It all means Russia are almost there in the knockout phases and, barring a freakish set of results, Egypt are on the way home.
Highlights of the game
Russia’s 5-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia was an impressive statement from the hosts and they opened up against the visitors with plenty of confidence. They knew that a win would virtually guarantee them a place in the knockout stages, and that’s the least Vladimir Putin expects.
We at SBOBET tend to agree! Though few World Cup 2018 predictions had Russia as realistic candidates to make the latter stages of the tournament, football fans right across this vast country are starting to dream.
As Russia came out on the front foot, Roman Zobnin had the first shot on goal, which was deflected wide; and from the resulting corner, Sergei Ignashevich headed straight at the keeper.
Understandably, there was tension in the air with the presence of Salah, and his first contribution was a smart one-two which took him into the Russian box (though he was quickly dispossessed). The appearance of Egypt’s star seemed to unnerve the hosts a little, and Hassan Trezeguet was given the space to curl a shot narrowly wide.
Much of Russia’s first-half attacks focussed on 6-foot-5 fan-favourite Artem Dzyuba, who made his first start after scoring as a substitute against Saudi. He was a real handful in the first half, but the hosts only mustered one effort on target throughout the opening 45 minutes, one more than Egypt though.
On 33 minutes, Salah almost got the opener as the ball swung over, but Yuri Zhirkov made a great interception just as the Egyptian was about to pounce. And then minutes before halftime, it was Salah again who beat Zhirkov but shot narrowly wide.
Stanislav Cherchesov had confidence in his side to beat Egypt—even with Salah in opposition—and he was proved absolutely right within 17 explosive minutes of the second half as his team blew the Pharaohs away. After just two minutes, the deadlock was broken by a disastrous own goal courtesy of veteran defender Ahmed Fathy. Zobnin’s shot was going well wide but the hapless Fathy steered the ball into his own net under pressure from Dzyuba.
Egypt seemed rattled and it was game over on 59 minutes as Figueira Fernandes reached the bi-line and crossed for Denis Cheryshev to bag his third of the tournament. And then the big man Dzyuba got the goal he deserved, chesting the ball down and firing a beauty low into the net.
The Pharaohs pulled one back on 72 minutes when Salah was dragged down in the box, and the talisman climbed to his feet to fire into the top-right corner. But that was all Egypt could muster. Salah had been dangerous but not quite at his sharpest, but that’s to take nothing away from Russia who has scored eight goals in two games.
When the Saint Petersburg crowd began to chant ‘champions’, they were being a tad optimistic. However, there’s no doubt this has been a wonderful start to the tournament for the hosts.
Key Statistics
After a first half with only one effort on target, Russia scored three times in the first 17 minutes of the second. But Egypt did win the shot count 13 to 11 and had 51 per cent possession. But that means nothing now.
Before a ball was kicked, the hosts had already scored more goals than they did in 2014, when they could muster only two in the tournament. Russia are also unbeaten against African teams at the World Cup, but the poor Pharaohs have now played six games in World Cups without winning.
What’s next?
Group A favourites Uruguay play Saudi Arabia tomorrow. Now, we’ve had some surprises already over the past week, but anything other than a Uruguay win would be the biggest World Cup 2018 news yet!
Let’s assume it all goes to plan for Uruguay. If that’s the case, it will mean that when Russia plays Oscar Tabarez’ team on the 25th, they are both through to the last 16.
Egypt will be up against the Saudis at the same time and that is a huge chance for them to win at last. Mo will have his day.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE WORLD CUP 2018 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
