Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
Salem Al Dawsari smashed a 95th minute decider as Saudi Arabia finally got their World Cup win, but it was a sad end to Russia 2018 for Egypt and Mo Salah.
This wasn’t really the way either of these teams wanted to bow out of the World Cup. Hector Cuper’s Egypt, in particular, had hoped for better, but missing their talisman, Mo Salah, in the opening game took the wind out of their sales.
Saudi boss Juan Antonio Pizzi also hoped that Saudi Arabia vs Egypt might have been more than a dead rubber, but his team had been pretty much outclassed over the first two games. So I guess this was a great way to finish, even though there wasn’t a lot to play for.
It’s not been a happy time in Russia for Salah, after such an incredible domestic and European season for Liverpool. There were even some doubts over his inclusion today after rumours had spread quickly in social media that he was considering quitting international football. But the Pharoah’s fans were delighted to see him on the pitch.
Highlights of the game
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt predictions, including our own SBOBET tips backed an Egypt win and that looked pretty good when they went ahead half way through the first half when Salah latched on to a long ball from El Said and controlled beautifully before lobbing the keeper. It was Super Mo’s 50th goal for club and country in a year; an amazing feat, and that was the start we all expected to prompt a fluent Egypt display.
But it didn’t come as Salah, though looking pretty sharp, cut a rather sad figure, still wondering what might have been. But he almost made it two when put through by Trezeguet a few minute later, but his shot bounced tamely wide. Trezeguet and Salah were the best players on the pitch in the opening period, by some distance, but while they probed and searched for a second they didn’t quite have the cutting edge.
Saudi, limited in their ability, don’t lack in spirit and they came out on the front foot as the half drew to a close, and were rewarded with a penalty when experienced defender Ahmed Fathy handled in the box. This was a chance for the Saudis to score their first goal of the tournament and Al Muwallad struck it well. But goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, at 45 years the oldest player ever to play in the World Cup, sprung across like a man half his age to tip the ball to safety. What a save and what a moment!
But the poor old lad was asked to do it all again when Saudi Arabia won another penalty deep into stoppage time, and this time he could do nothing as Salman Al Faraj slammed the ball home for the Saudi’s first goal of the tournament.
That seemed to lift Pizzi’s team while Egypt began to look like they just wanted to go home; and just when it looked like they could leave the Volgograd Arena with a draw, Al Dawsari took that away from them, driving low into the bottom corner to send the Saudi fans wild.
Key statistics
The Saudi Arabia vs Egypt Highlights were all about Mo and Essam until Al Dawsari’s late, late show!
This World Cup never really got going for Mo Salah, but he scored in both games he played so it’s a case of ‘what might have been’. And the Pharoah’s keeper Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to grace a World Cup. 45 is some age for a top athlete and his penalty save was one of the moments of the tournament so far.
But this was Saudi Arabia’s day, and as they grew into the game they fully deserved the win, registering an impressive 23 shots on goal. The timings of their two goals were bizarre, six minutes into first half injury time and five minutes after the end of the second period!
That may say something about their fitness and desire, but it might say just as much about Egypt’s lack of stomach at the end of a disappointing campaign.
What’s next?
Well it’s an early holiday for both these teams and I suspect Pizzi’s Saudi Arabia will enjoy it the most.
Mo Salah’s injury in the Champions League final may not have been the only reason Egypt is out, but it’s a big one.
The Egypt boss, Cuper, said: “There’s no doubt Mo Salah has a huge importance on this team. Had he been fully up to speed in the first match it would have been very important for us. He is a natural-born scorer and he can make the difference.”
Oh well.
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