Uruguay’s Jose Gimenez scores their first goal. Photo: Reuters
KATHMANDU: Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez scored a solarity goal in the dying minutes of second half of the game to shatter Egypt at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg today.
Egypt without their talisman Mohamad Salah defended in numbers to thwart Uruguay attack for an extended period but crumbled in the dying minutes of the game.
Neither side created any clear-cut chances in the early exchange of the game. The game burst into life after Luis Suarez blasted a close-range effort into a side netting.
Egypt goalie Mohamed El Shenawi pinched the ball away from Luis Suarez foot when putting on through to a goal by Edison Cavani before Suarez could pull a trigger from the six yard.
Suarez returned a favour to his strike partner by setting up Cavani to volley from the edge of the area before drawing a world class save from the custodian.
Uruguay up the ante in the closing stage of the game and drew a foul from the tiring Egyptian defenders around the 35 yard. Cavani stepped up to take the strike before rattling the woodwork.
Finally, Uruguay broke the dead-lock from an unlikely source of defender Jose Gimenez who jumped to meet a cross from the right side of the pitch to sent the ball nestling in the net.
Earlier, Russia had defeated the Asian side Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening fixture of the tournament yesterday.
Later today, African side Morocco will take on Asian side Iran (8:45 pm) before the two European heavyweight Spain and Portugal meet in the clash of titans in the late kick-off (11.45pm).
Russia will take on Egypt at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 19, whereas, Saudi Arabia will play against Uruguay the following day at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don.
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