Ruthless Russia leave Salah's Egypt on the brink of World Cup exit

In what was billed as Mohamed Salah’s return to football after a almost a month on the sidelines, it instead turned out to be another chapter in ruthless Russia’s start to the World Cup as they walked away 3-1 winners and earned their place in the next round.

We all pulled up a chair, sat down and got ready to watch Mohamed Salah drag Egypt to victory just as he’d done for Liverpool over the course of last season. However you could be forgiven if you thought he was on the bench as no Egypt player touched the ball less than him (19) in the opening 45 minutes.

To be fair to Salah, he found himself in a very difficult situation. The expectation level has been raised after an outstanding domestic and European campaign with Liverpool and the reality is, Egypt aren’t much cop without him. And with him, let’s be honest, they’re still not great. And less so when he isn’t anywhere near being fully fit.

Russia weren't blameless for a dull first half. They started well with a similar energy to the one which blew away Saudi Arabia but once they’d huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow Egypt’s house down, they soon retreated and waited for half time.

Thankfully Russia started the second period as if they needed to win in order to progress and the clock had just ticked over into the 90th minute. Egypt, still trying to work out how to play with a 50% fit Salah in their ranks, thought the best course of action was putting the ball into the net. A good idea but even better if you manage to put it in the opposition’s net.

A cross was fizzed into the box and Fathi, trying to clear the ball, could only slice it towards his own goal and watch in horror as the net bulged. There was some glamour for VAR to intervene believing the Egyptian defender had been pushed. He hadn’t, he’d slipped, and Egypt were slipping out of the World Cup.

Meanwhile ‘Own Goal’ is leading the Golden Boot race as he moved to five in this tournament.

Speaking of goalscorers at this World Cup, Denis Cheryshev made it three goals in two matches as he doubled the hosts lead on the hour mark. This time at least Egypt were torn apart by some good football and not their own undoing. Matias Fernandes worked a yard of space in the box and pulled it back for the former Real Madrid player to make it 2-0.

And just like that, Egypt were mentally broken. Without an outlet to escape the pressure being imposed on them by the Russians it was soon 3-0. Ali Gabr won’t want to see the goal back as he fails to move his feet quick enough, like Bambi on ice, and Dzyuba charges forward, steals possession, and makes no mistake with just the keeper to beat.

Salah did at least get a brief moment to shine. He was pulled back on the edge of the box and the referee initially signalled for a freekick. After a few Egyptian players called for the third umpire as if this was a game of cricket, the correct decision was made and the Africans were awarded a penalty. Salah didn’t fluff his lines and pulled a goal back for Egypt.

Unfortunately for Salah, like most of his achievements this season, it ultimately counted for nothing in terms of his team’s success. Russia were the most dangerous team as the game closed out and they sit on a healthy +7 goal difference after two games.

As for Egypt their World Cup hopes hang by a very thin thread. Even if tomorrow confirms their exit from the tournament they can at least be proud of the way they qualified. Ultimately, as a collective, they haven’t been good enough in Russia.