Jose Gimenez’s late header earned Uruguay all three points in their Group A opener against Egypt.
Below are four talking points from Friday’s early game in Yekaterinburg.
1. Uruguay find way to win despite disappointing display
The evolution of Uruguay’s style of play is exemplified by a change made at the back of midfield, with deep-lying playmaker Rodrigo Bentancur having phased out Pitbull-like destroyer Egidio Arevalo Rios in the last couple of years. La Celeste have demonstrated a greater willingness to dominate possession and play through the centre of the pitch in that time, and that was in evidence again in the opening exchanges here.
Uruguay were guilty of being overly pedestrian and pedestrian with their passing, though, while they were also hampered by a lack of natural width as Nahitan Nandes and Giorgian De Arrascaeta continually drifted infield. Luis Suarez spurned two excellent opportunities either side of half-time and Edinson Cavani went close twice, forcing a fine save from Mohamed El-Shenawy and hitting the post with a free-kick. Uruguay’s approach play was rather flat, however, and it took a header from a set-piece to make the breakthrough.
2. Egypt defend well but lack attacking spark
Egypt were runners-up at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, but they flattered to deceive for much of the competition. Hector Cuper’s side played extremely conservatively in Gabon, packing nine outfielders behind the ball and leaving Mohamed Salah at the top of the pitch to sniff out opportunities on the counter-attack.
The absence of the Liverpool forward meant they lacked spark in the final third here, but Egypt did strike a better balance between attack and defence for the first hour, with Trezeguet and Amr Warda looking to lead breaks down the flanks. The Pharaohs defended deep and got men behind the ball quickly, but in the end it was not enough to bring a first point at the World Cup since 1990.
3. Suarez has a match to forget
Uruguay looked most threatening on the occasions when Egypt looked to press higher up the pitch, allowing the South Americans to play around them and gallop into the space left behind. They would have been able to take advantage of more transitions of that kind had they taken the lead earlier in the game, with Suarez particularly guilty of wastefulness in front of goal.
The Barcelona frontman scuffed a shot into the side netting in the opening period, before delaying his shot for too long after being played through by Edinson Cavani in the second half. His touch was also loose for much of this encounter, with Cavani’s link play – which included laying on two chances for his strike partner – much more impressive.
4. Salah’s return will make a big difference
It is difficult to overstate Salah’s importance to this Egypt side, and his likely availability for next week’s pivotal meeting with Russia will make a huge difference. The 26-year-old often starts on the right for Egypt but is given the license to remain high upfield when his team are defending, with the centre-forward instead dropping back to help out defensively.
Salah is the ideal outlet on the counter-attack, with his speed and touch making him a difficult player to defend against in space. He will have to be at his most clinical with any chances that come his way, though, and there must still be a slight concern over how fit he really is.
