Group A Match of FIFA 2018
Russia 3 ( Fathy , Cherosev, Dzyuba) Vs Egypt 1 ( Salah)
Host Russia with two blockbuster performances stormed into the group 16 as the first team in World Cup 2018. Saudi Arabia was swept away in the opening match of the tournament 5-0.
In the second match, Salah inspired fancied Egypt was also pushed to the edge 3-1. Theoretically, Egypt can still go through. But that will require them beating Saudi Arabia at least 4-0 and Saudi Arabia and Russia beating Uruguay. Few Soccer Pundits gave Russia much of an opportunity in a group having fancied Uruguay and Egypt. But very impressive Russia proved many pre tournament predictions wrong. Russia will have to play against Portugal or Spain in the knockout stage. But for that to know, we have to see what happens in the second matches of Spain and Portugal in Group B.
Egypt came to Russia with high hopes for going deep into the tournament. In the first match they went down fighting to Uruguay. Their star player Manchester City Striker Salah did not play in that match. Yesterday against Russia, they were very much in the game till the lemon break. But a 15 minutes Russian Revolution in the second half saw the Egyptian Pyramids shacking. Egypt went down 0-3.Trying desperately to bring parity over the rest of the play; they could reduce the margin by only one penalty conversion goal by Salah only. With assurance of going through Russia can start planning for their knockout match. The other spot from the group have different equations. But Uruguay is better placed with win over Egypt and not too difficult challenge against Saudi Arabia.
World Cup 2018 has already turned into a tournament of penalties. 10 Penalties have already been seen in 17 matches equaling the number of the pre knockout stage of 2014. In fact, only 13 penalties were witnessed in the entire 2014 world cup.
Since the break away of USSR, Russia has not lost any match against any African team in world cup which also includes 6-1 win against Cameroon in 1994 world cup. This is the first time Russia has won two back to back matches in world cup since 1966 (Soveit Union). Russia played and lost in the semi final in that tournament which England won. Russia’s tally of 8 goals in the first two matches pushed them at level with another host nation Italy in 1934. Russia has already scored more goals in this tournament than their two earlier world cups put together (2002 and 2014). Russians did not qualify for 2006 and 2010 tournament.
The Match:
There were emotions and euphoria full to the brim an hour into the match. Russian striker Artem Dzubaspun offs into the night, tapiing his head, veins pumping, screaming in recognition of one of the most momentous goals of his career. A masterful finish put Russia 3-0 ahead (all there scored within 17 minutes of the second half). Match went beyond the grasp of the aspiring Egypt. While Russia confirmed a date against either Portugal or Spain, Egypt was pushed to the exit door. Egypitan supper star Salah stood, numbed, in the center circle, the weird adventure crushed. All his energy put into rehabilitation after his recent injury is all but gone in vain.
The first half of the match witnessed sharing the honors even with opportunities coming either way. Egypt settled early and engineered few good moves. Salah had few glimpses, aided by Marwan Mohsen. It appeared at that stage that the match would be hard fought. But nature did not decide to go it that way.
Hopes of Egypt were buried just after lemon break. Russia’s first goal came suddenly and awkwardly. First a cross from Aleksander Golovin was punched weakly by Egyptian keeper. Roman Zobnin struck the rebound into the ground and the trajectory was going wide. Ahmed Fathi was worried about the presence of Dzuba over his shoulder. He flung himself anxiously in front of the Russian striker. The clearance was clumsy and devastatingly so the ball veered into the corner of the net taking Russia to 1-0.
This was not enough; three decisive minutes around the hour transformed the game. Russians were elevated and Egypt flattened. The first two goals were carved out with slick precision. First Cheryshevcooly dispatched Mario Fernades clever reveres pass (2-0). Then Dzyuba presented an exhibition of classic centre forward power play, chasing the ball on before curling his shot past Egyptian custodian (3-0)
Three down in quick succession Pharaos could only hope for some magical moments from the feet of their super star Salah. Egypt put in more men in the attack and carried out several sorties on Russian goal. Their efforts were crowned with a penalty which Salah converted (3-1). This goal could be decisive. If Egypt can beat Saudi Arabia (4-0), and if Uruguay by any chance loose to Saudi Arabia then only Egypt can go through. But that possibility appears very remote now.
BDST: 1227 HRS, JUN 20, 2018
AH
