Egypt 0-1 Uruguay - Giminez Breaks Egyptian Hearts

A 90th minute header from centre back Jose Giminez was the difference between the two sides on the 2nd day of the tournament.

Egypt looked the more confident team in the opening exchanges, but it was Suarez who had the best chance of the first half. The ball fell to him at the back post from a corner, but the usually dependable striker dragged the shot into the side netting from ten yards out.

The Egyptians continued to keep the ball well and showed no sign of letting the Uruguayan attack in behind, with Arsenal’s Elneny having a particularly tidy game in midfield.

Uruguay were solid at the back and didn’t look like conceding but they struggled to make anything of their possession, with the link up play from midfield to attack lacking any creativity. Young Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur was their best player in a mediocre first half for the South American team.

Suarez almost made up for his poor first half performance within seconds of the second half starting, only for the inexperienced Egyptian keeper’ Elshenawy to spread his body extremely well to stop him from scoring.

Egypt were forced into an early change when Tarek Hamed was forced off with an injury, Sam Morsey, who had won promotion with Wigan to the Championship last season, came on to replace him.

Sloppy passes were becoming a common feature of the second half with both teams struggling to create any clear-cut chances, however, in the 70th minute the game came to life.

First, Egypt’s right back Abdelshafy hit a thunderous strike from 25 yards which Muslera saved well. From that chance Uruguay went up the other end of the pitch and Cavani played Suarez through on goal. With a clear sight of goal, he opted not to shoot and tried to round the goalkeeper, only for him to get down well and grab the ball from the feet of Suarez.

Edison Cavani must’ve thought he’d opened the scoring in the 80th minute when he sent a beautifully hit volley flying towards the top corner. It looked destined to find the back of net, but Elshenawy came to Egypt’s rescue again and got a strong hand to the shot to tip it away for a corner.

Cavani then came even closer with two minutes of the game to go. He won a free kick on the edge of the box and took it himself. The ball went up and over the wall only for the post to deny him this time.

Egypt were starting to crumble under the Uruguayan pressure and in the 90th minute their hearts were broken. Jose Giminez rose highest from a free kick and planted the header into corner to send his fans and teammates into hysterics on and off the pitch.

Egypt manager Cuper Hector opted not to bring on Salah, and from the moment he decided to use Sobhi as his final substitution all the belief in the Egyptian team seemed to go. In all fairness to Uruguay they pounced on that and although they were awful for most of the game, they found a way to win.

With Russia demolishing Saudi Arabia 5-0 yesterday, this was a huge result for Uruguay and gives them every chance of qualifying to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Man of the Match

Elshenawy – He only won his first Egyptian cap in March this year, but he looked very experienced in this game. Kept Egypt in the game and nothing he could’ve done about the goal.