A sparkling second-half performance ensured that Russia is virtually guaranteed to qualify for the knock-out rounds for the first time in its modern history, following a 3-1 victory over a poor Egypt.
Swapping out dynamic but underperforming striker Fedor Smolov for towering Artem Dzyuba, Russia looked to exploit Egypt’s vulnerability to crosses, evident in its opening-game defeat against Uruguay. The midfielders diligently looked for the target man from all over the pitch, but deliveries lacked quality, and Dzyuba, who came on to score in Russia’s rout of Saudi Arabia, was tightly marked.
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| © Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters |
For Egypt, star man Mohamed Salah, playing his first game after a month of injury, appeared tentative, and unwilling to embark on his famously devastating runs towards goal, though the Liverpool attacker still looked like the Pharaohs’ most dangerous outlet, with a shot that whistled past the post.
Both teams looked determined not to sit back waiting for errors, but lacked the quality to do damage, in what was predicted to be the deciding game of Group A.
Yet it was a mistake that broke the deadlock at the start of the second in what had been an evenly-matched tie, when Egypt central defender Ahmed Fathi tragicomically deflected a bouncing knee-high ball past his outstretched goalkeeper.
Pushed forward by a thumping 64,000-strong crowd at the St. Petersburg Stadium, the reds grew in stature, with first-match hero Denis Cheryshev popping in with another vital effort, converting a Mario Fernandes ball past Mohamed El-Shenawy.
The match threatened to escalate into another thrashing, when Dzyuba was rewarded for his toil, with a well-taken goal on 61 minutes.
Mohamed Salah finally got his name on the scoresheet after being fouled on the edge of the area, and powering his penalty in the top corner.
But the result was never in doubt, as Russia held on for the final 20 minutes, enjoying several more chances to stretch their lead.
While both teams remain in the tournament, the only way Russia could fail to get to the knock-outs would be if Saudi Arabia were to score two big wins in its remaining games, and if Uruguay were to inflict a massive defeat upon the team in their remaining game. More likely, the European and South American sides will play for the top spot in Group A during their final game in Samara on Monday.
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