The return of Mohamed Salah from injury couldn’t prevent World Cup hosts Russia virtually sealing their place in the last 16 by beating Egypt 3-1 on Tuesday.
An own goal by Egypt captain Ahmed Fathi opened the floodgates on a sodden night in Saint Petersburg before goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba furthered Russian hopes that they can defy pre-tournament expectations with a deep run into the latter stages.
Salah did net Egypt’s first goal at a World Cup since 1990 from the penalty spot after he had been hauled down 17 minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Pharaohs.
Here are the key takeaways from the clash.
NO PHARAOH-TALE BUT RUSSIAN REVOLUTION CONTINUES
Egypt waited 28 years for this – sport cares not for the narrative. Few nations have endured such heartache and here was another piercing puncture.
The Pharaohs have endured the extinction of a golden generation which never reached the World Cup only to finally find a superstar to drag them back into relevance.
A shoulder injury ultimately restricted Salah’s ability to carry his nation and then within six days their tournament is virtually brought to an egregious end by a Russian team prophesied to be one of the worst in their history.
There was an earthquake in Mexico after they stunningly beat Germany, in Egypt similar vibrations will have been felt but by the collective thud of hearts sinking.
Ultimately, the Pharaohs were wrapped up by a Russian revolution. Few predicted this rise on home soil, even Russian citizens will be equally surprised with two wins from two and a goal difference of plus-seven, which as was pointed out on Twitter, means as it stands they have made the joint-strongest start to a World Cup since Poland in 1974.
How they perform against Uruguay will provide the true yardstick for their tournament potential.
Yet, given the gloom which hung over the hosts leading into the World Cup after their dreadful Confederations Cup campaign, a FIFA ranking only surpassing Saudi Arabia at this tournament and a squad decimated by injuries, this dream progress will be celebrated across the country.
Few teams will want to sleep on Russia in the knockouts because they are supremely disciplined with their sprinkle of ability thrust forward by the hope of a nation.
Egypt on the other hand will just want to forget this nightmare.
OUTCASTS UPSET THE FORECAST
Denis Cheryshev has truly faded into the background following his infamous Real Madrid career.
Up until now, the 27-year-old drew notoriety because of a Copa del Rey tie against Cadiz in 2015 in which he scored when he was supposed to be serving a suspension.
Real were later disqualified, and Cheryshev’s career was battered by injury with loan spells at Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia all grouped by health issues.
The winger pitched up back at Villarreal on a permanent deal in 2016 but surgery wiped him out of the entirety of 2017.
In the past two La Liga seasons, he’s managed to score twice. After another fine finish against Egypt, Cheryshev moved level with Cristiano Ronaldo – the superstar who pushed him out of the Bernabeu with his grip of the left-wing spot – with a third goal to surpass his league tally for the last two seasons.
He wasn’t even expected to be in the squad with Dynamo Moscow’s rising star Aleksandr Tashaev said to be preferred.
But after a delightful double against Saudi and now another in Saint Petersburg, his fortune is finally in.
He’s not alone in Russia’s gang of outcasts rising to prominence. Fellow goalscorer and giant targetman Artem Dzyuba has mirrored his team-mate’s success out of despair.
Dzyuba hadn’t been called up for a year after a rumoured row with boss Stanislav Cherchesov before last year’s Confederations Cup. But after a prolific loan spell at Arsenal Tula after he was turfed out by Zenit St Petersburg, he returned in style.
GOLOVIN IS GOLD
The World Cup is above all else a shop window and every tournament possesses a breakout star who rises to the top of buyers’ lists.
Russia 2018 could see Aleksandr Golovin join the likes of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos in earning money-spinning moves on the back of a superb tournament.
The 22-year-old was viewed as the sole bright light amid the gloomy projections for the host nation but against Saudi Arabia and Egypt on Tuesday, the CSKA Moscow midfielder has positively blazed.
Confident on the ball, he ran at Egypt with either foot, and showed his game-changing ability with the crucial cross which led to their rather fortunate opener.
Russia are a sure-fire for the last-16 after two wins from two and if Golovin can continue this form a lot of big clubs will take notice.
Juventus have been linked, haggling over a €25million fee according to reports in Russia media, but if they won’t pay, another club certainly will.
