All is not right with Mohamed Salah and other Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt talking points

Matt Monaghan - Senior Football Writer 20:42 25/06/2018
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    • A subdued Mohamed Salah got on the scoresheet for Egypt but could not avoid a third-successive World Cup 2018 loss as Salem Al Dawsari earned a deserved 2-1 win for Saudi Arabia in the final throes at Volgograd Arena.

    Salah, 26, belied nagging doubts about a shoulder injury and off-field reports of imminent international retirement to lob the Pharaohs into the lead on 22 minutes when the eliminated Arab nations met.

    The ascendant Green Falcons had two first-half penalties that required review by the Video Assistant Referee. Roving forward Fahad Al Muwallad’s first was superbly pushed onto the woodwork by 45-year-old record-breaking goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, before outstanding midfielder Salman Al Faraj did the business deep into first-half injury time.

    A draw then seemed apparent before a delightful move was finished off by Villarreal loanee Al Dawsari’s lashed effort into the bottom corner in the 95th minute to earn his nation’s first World Cup triumph since 1994.

    Here are the talking points when Group A reached its crescendo:

    SALAH’S WORLD OF PAIN

    It is fair to say Salah’s World Cup did not go to script.

    Not even when a delicate chip, for a second strike of the tournament, earned an early lead for Egypt, plus his 50th goal in 58 appearances during an unforgettable 2017/18.

    The maelstrom that subsumes him at international level took a turn for the worst in recent weeks.

    The hype about his debilitating shoulder problem and rush to get fit was understandable.

    What wasn’t predictable was AP’s report of a threatened international exit after being used as an unwitting political pawn this Saturday in a ceremony with controversial Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

    A second picture opportunity with a leader accused of multiple human rights violations is not a good look for such a socially conscious footballer.

    This situation appeared amplified before kick-off when the first announced XI didn’t feature him.

    He barely celebrated his goal and soon spurned a glorious one-on-one.

    Only Salah will know whether frustrations at enduring injury or disquiet about off-field matters caused his muted display.

    WILL THE GREEN FALCONS SPREAD THEIR WINGS?

    What now for Saudi Arabia?

    On Monday, the Green Falcons finally took flight at the third time of asking during their return to the World Cup after 12 years away.

    Saudi registered 64 per cent possession, had 16 more attempts than Egypt and five more corners.

    They’d previously registered a combined two shots on target during the harrowing opening 5-0 loss to hosts Russia and subsequent 1-0 reversal to Uruguay.

    Head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi’s blueprint of a ceaseless press and high defensive line was clear during their third, winning assignment. A plan is in place and looks to be an effective one.

    But will his capricious paymasters allow him to finish the job at January 2019’s Asian Cup, or is progress rendered nought by the opening night’s humiliation?

    EL HADARY IS SPOT ON

    Record-breaking Egypt keeper El Hadary had waited 45 years and 161 days for this moment.

    The oldest player to ever feature at a World Cup wasn’t in the mood to waste more time.

    El Hadary has represented the Pharaohs on 156 occasions and won four Africa Cup of Nations.

    He’s felt the pain of repeatedly missing out on the globe’s grandest stage alongside the likes of legendary playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika and had dormant dreams ignited by the emergent Salah.

    Such athleticism to repel Al Muwallad’s spot kick proved that even in football’s exacting age of elite performance, sometimes age is just a number.

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