World Cup 2018: Gimenez rises to break Egypt hearts as Uruguay win opener

A late Jose Gimenez header broke Egypt hearts as Uruguay won their opening match 1-0 in Ekaterinburg.

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani both had great chances to score in a flat match, while Ahmed Fathy came closest for Egypt.

But with time running out, Gimenez outrose Ahmed Hegazi to bullet a header into the net in the 89th minute and claim the three points for Oscar Tabarez’s men.

The win gave the group favourites a serious boost after Russia’s shock 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia in the opening match.

AS IT UNFOLDED: Egypt v Uruguay

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Egypt were dealt a blow before kick-off when Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was only deemed fit enough for the bench.

An obvious tactic might well have been to keep Uruguay at bay until Salah could make an impact.

And indeed, the match started very much in that fashion with the first telling shot of the match coming from Cavani after seven minutes, who scuffed an effort towards goal from the edge of the box.

Egypt striker Trezeguet gave Héctor Cúper’s men their first shot on target from a tight angle when he acrobatically released a strike, but it was another which failed to test Fernando Muslera in goal.

Barcelona forward Suarez, never shy of a headline, endured a lethargic opening half which began with a series of poor first touches.

After 13 minutes the former Liverpool star fired significantly wide after receiving a cross, but his worst moment was to come ten minutes later.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani did magnificently to juggle a ball over Ahmed Fathy and fire a volley towards goal – but it was headed behind by a last-ditch clearance.

The resulting corner found its way to Suarez at the far post but the controversial talisman contrived to slot wide of the near post, with the goal gaping.

The 31-year-old would have hoped to put that disjointed Uruguay performance behind him when strike partner Cavani picked Suarez out inside 60 seconds of the restart – only to be denied by goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy.

Indeed, the second half continued in a similar fashion to the first – with Uruguay holding the ball and Egypt looking to hit a sucker-punch on the break.

Substitute Sanchez drilled a goal-bound effort from the edge of the box which forced a great block, before Cavani slammed a wild shot into Martin Caceres’ arm from close range.

Fathy almost gave Egypt a shock lead when he ran on to a loose ball and thundered an effort from the right flank, but Muslera was equal to it.

And moments later it was Suarez – once more – who failed to break the deadlock. Cavani flicked the ball around the corner to play his partner in but before he could score, El-Shenawy swiped the ball from him.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny tried his luck with a chip from the edge of the box, which lofted over the bar, before Amr Warda was substituted off – ensuring Salah would not make an appearance.

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Cavani, leading from the front, fired a thunderous volley towards goal from 20 yards, which El-Shenawy did superbly to fingertip behind.

Cavani should have seen Uruguay to three points when his 88th minute free kick bounced back off the post, before the rebound was comically blocked by another Uruguay man.

But Egypt were eventually made to rue Salah’s injury, as Gimenez headed home from a wide delivery to seal the win and break Egypt hearts.

SLIDESHOW: The 32 star players for every World Cup nation (Click image below)