Last-minute World Cup loss for Egypt, who choose not to risk icon Mo Salah

Egypt decides to keep its superstar on the bench in the hopes of using him in next matches; Uruguay wins opening game for the first time in 48 years

By Agencies 15 June 2018, 6:56 pm

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah, center, watches his team during the group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

YEKATERINBURG, Russia — Mohamed Salah was kept on the bench in Egypt’s opening World Cup defeat against Uruguay on Friday because the team did not want to risk further injury to the Liverpool star.

Uruguay won its opening match at the World Cup for the first time in 48 years, getting an 89th-minute goal from defender Jose Gimenez in a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Group A on Friday.

Gimenez jumped in the area and headed home a free kick from Atletico Madrid teammate Diego Godin. It was the first time Uruguay won its opening match at the tournament since 1970, when it went on to reach the semifinals.

Salah, who turned 26 on Friday, injured his shoulder three weeks ago in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

On the eve of the Uruguay match Egypt coach Hector Cuper said Salah was fit, raising the Pharoahs’ hopes that he would start the Group A clash.

Uruguay’s Jose Gimenez celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

“He’s certainly important, nobody can deny that, but you need a good team too — and we are a good team,” said Cuper. “If Mo had been on the pitch it may have been different but we can’t know that.”

“He did not play today because we wanted to avoid risk or danger but I think that he will be fine for the next match,” said the coach.

“Yesterday we were quite certain that he would play. At the end of training he was examined in depth and there was some doubt if he fell or was hit by another player.

“We thought perhaps he might get another injury and we want to avoid that so we decided not to take that risk.

“We want him on top form for Saudi Arabia and Russia.”

Egypt, which had zero corner kicks in the match, has yet to win a World Cup game. It managed two draws at the 1990 tournament and left empty-handed in 1934.

To have any hopes of advancing, Egypt needs to avoid a loss against Russia on Tuesday and probably beat Saudi Arabia on June 25 in its final group game.

For Uruguay, anything but a win against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday would be a surprise. With a victory, Uruguay could reach the next stage with a game in hand against host Russia on June 25.