Egypt was faced with the difficult task of trying to top Uruguay without Mohamed Salah in their first World Cup match on Friday, but they fell just short in truly heartbreaking fashion.
The match remained scoreless for more than 89 minutes, but Uruguay took a 1-0 lead on a beautiful header from Jose Gimenez. That was all it took to secure the victory.
What a goal!
Gimenez gives Uruguay the lead in the 89th minute! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/RRBm3NzoXD
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 15, 2018
Salah, who was vital to Liverpool’s success this season, injured his shoulder in the Champions League Final on a controversial tackle from Sergio Ramos. Egypt fans understandably feel like he could have made the difference against Uruguay. The reactions on Twitter summarized how deflating the loss was.
FT: Egypt 0-1 Uruguay
First #WorldCup in 28 Years
Evenly matched game
Concede from a set-piece in the 89th minuteNo Salah, No Party pic.twitter.com/jvIZHKIE5N
— 8Fact Football WC (@8Fact_Footballl) June 15, 2018
Salah's looks when Uruguay scored that goal.
Why does the better team loose? Football is not fair #EGYURU pic.twitter.com/elNu0YbwIT— The Media Culture Africa (@TMC_twits) June 15, 2018
And then suddenly. Sergio Ramos played for Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/zKfoZ1B7GK
— Foxtaku (@FoxtakuVideos) June 15, 2018
Heartbreak for Mohamed Salah as Uruguay score a late winner to beat Egypt 1-0. pic.twitter.com/be1Me46jlX
— LFCGlobe.co.uk (@LFCGlobe) June 15, 2018
The game would have been drastically different if Salah had played, Uruguay below expectations. No words can describe what @SergioRamos did to an entire nation. #EGYURG
— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) June 15, 2018
Mo Salah's reaction to the Uruguay goal – surely he's still injured #EGYURU pic.twitter.com/b85M9JmJYH
— Elliot Wagland (@elliotwagland) June 15, 2018
Interviewer: Mo Salah, why do you think you guys lost to Uruguay today? What would you blame for it?
Mo Salah: We lost because of Sergio Ramos. I will never forgive him.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) June 15, 2018
Salah is easily Egypt’s best player, and his presence combined with a forgiving group draw led many to predict Egypt could become a dark horse in the World Cup. The road just got a little tougher, and a lot will depend on Salah’s health going forward.
