That happened fast – Tuesday heralds the start of the second round of games as a buoyant Russia march on to St Petersburg where they’ll face an Egypt side poised to throw in Mohamed Salah from the start.
The hosts could not have dreamed up a better script for their 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia on opening night while Egypt, at their first World Cup in 28 years, were sunk by a last-gasp Uruguay goal on Friday.
Below, we take a look at the main talking points ahead of the crucial Group A-clash. Check here for an analysis of the key players and key tactical points.
SALAH SHOULDERS THE BURDEN
Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov has boldly proclaimed his side are ‘ready to stop Salah and we will’. Save for a Sergio Ramos-style armbar, far better teams were unable to stump up any answers last season following his move to Liverpool.
That one answer may be enough. Russia will have watched very closely just how Neymar, still not at the peak of his powers after fracturing his metatarsal, was systematically roughed up by Switzerland on Sunday.
And it worked. Switzerland were cynical without being brutal and no player came close to seeing or deserving their marching orders for their skin-tight treatment of Brazil’s superstar.
With the greatest respect to Salah – he is no Neymar. Nor are his colleagues anywhere near the ilk of Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Gabriel Jesus.
Salah’s greatest weakness has always been his physicality and it’s fair to wonder if he can out-sprint those Russian homing missiles all game.
DEFYING EXPECTATIONS
The Moscow Times’ front page screamed ‘Aging and inexperienced: Why Russia’s World Cup squad is doomed to fail’ ahead of the opening game against Saudi Arabia, which turned out to be a rather ingenious example of reverse psychology.
Few Russians were fooled, though. Despite the drubbing there are obvious flaws that will come apparent against Uruguay in the final group game, if not Egypt.
A seriously slow defence, an attack devoid of much inspiration save Aleksandr Golovin or the injured Alan Dzagoev and a squad that, as the excoriating headline suggested, lacks much experience outside the safe space of Russia.
Egypt are a considerable step up. Hector Cuper’s team is exceedingly well-drilled defensively and goodbye Mohammad Al Sahlawi, hello Mohamed Salah.
A second victory in two though would outstrip the most optimistic Russian’s expectations heading into the tournament and it’ll all but assure their place in the Round of 16. It doesn’t really matter if they’re first or second as it likely means elimination to either Spain or Portugal.
On Tuesday we’ll find out whether Russia are simply better than what their countrymen thought they were or if the Saudis made them look that way.
TWO MOHAMEDS, ONE GOAL
If Salah’s return to raise the game of his team-mates then Mohamed Elneny is the man who Egypt need to hang onto the Liverpool star’s coat-tails the most.
The Arsenal midfielder had not enjoyed the smoothest of build-ups to the World Cup as, stretchered off in tears against West Ham, he feared his summer over in April.
Those fears were put to rest quickly though the Uruguay clash was only his second start since that day and, while he was solid enough, did find himself overpowered at times in Ekaterinburg. That 90 minutes should have done his fitness a world of good.
According to Egypt legend Mido, fellow pundit Arsene Wenger told him after the game that Elneny “is loved by everyone, is always smiling and wished he had 20 players like him” when he was managing Arsenal.
The Pharaohs only have one Salah, and Elneny has an extremely important job in both shielding the defence and recycling the ball to their main man at every opportunity.
