Uruguay beat Russia to top Group A, Mohamed Salah's Egypt lose again

FIFA Worldcup 2018 Sports

Uruguay beat Russia to top Group A, Mohamed Salah's Egypt lose again

URUGUAY 3-0 RUSSIA - SUAREZ (9), LAXALT (23), CAVANI (90)

Luis Suarez led the way as Uruguay made sure of top spot in Group A by ending 10-man Russia's perfect start to their own World Cup in humbling fashion.

Suarez fired the South Americans in front with a sweetly-struck free-kick just 10 minutes in at the Samara Arena before Denis Cheryshev deflected Diego Laxalt's effort past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev 13 minutes later to double the advantage.

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3 wins out of 3. #URU finish Top of Group A.
Sumptuous @LuisSuarez9 free-kick, one to re-watch later. ðŸ“¹ðŸ‘€ pic.twitter.com/mE7us7zBlq
— FIFA World Cup ðŸ† (@FIFAWorldCup) June 25, 2018

Russia's hopes of launching a fightback were effectively dashed before half-time when full-back Igor Smolnikov was sent off for a second bookable offence and, although they were much improved after the restart, Edinson Cavani struck again at the death as Uruguay coasted to a 3-0 win to complete a maximum haul of nine points without conceding a single goal.

SAUDI ARABIA 2-1 EGYPT - SALAH (20), AL FARAJ (45+6), AL DAWSARI (90+3)

Saudi Arabia managed their first win at the 2018 World Cup by beating Egypt 2-1 with a last-gasp winner that eclipsed Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah's 22nd minute goal today’s Group A game between the two eliminated teams.

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LATE drama. @salem_d29 ensures #KSA finish their #WorldCup on a high, on day @ElHadary, became a double #WorldCup record-maker. #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/Qoy2AzbkcC
— FIFA World Cup ðŸ† (@FIFAWorldCup) June 25, 2018

Saudi Arabia finished third in the group standings, scoring their only goals of the tournament and vastly improving from the 5-0 thrashing by hosts Russia in their opening game.

It was a bitter disappointment for the Egyptian side, however, with Liverpool striker Salah unable to prevent three consecutive defeats for his country. Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup at 45-years-old.

Saudi Arabia got back in the game with a penalty awarded just before halftime and Salman Al-Faraj scored from the spot. They then pulled off a win in the 95th minute thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari's angled shot.

1930 and 1950 #WorldCup winners #URU looking ðŸ’ª.
We say a sad farewell to #KSA & #EGY and their wonderful fans. pic.twitter.com/y2pvKNfE9E
— FIFA World Cup ðŸ† (@FIFAWorldCup) June 25, 2018