No birthday gift for Salah as Egypt lose 0-1 to Uruguay

No birthday gift for Salah as Egypt lose 0-1 to Uruguay

Gimenez bangs in the goal
PHOTO Getty Images

Egypt denied their talisman Mohammed Salah a perfect birthday gift as they lost to Uruguay 1-0 in their opening match at the Mundial. It was a match in which Luis Suarez had a lucky break after missing a host of golden chances as he saw his side snatch a last-gasp winner against Egypt on Friday.

The Barcelona forward missed three golden opportunities for Uruguay but was rescued right at the end through Jose Gimenez. The Atletico Madrid man popped up with a header in the 89th minute after finally found a way through after applying all the pressure in the second half.

Egypt have been boosted by the return from injury of their talisman Mohamed Salah, but face a tough challenge against a talented Uruguay side featuring Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

A match of many misses, Edinson Cavani had the best of volleys from the edge of the box after Luis Suarez headed the ball into his path. But Egyptian goal tender, El-Shenawy, diving to his left with one hand outstretched, reacts superbly to turn the shot away. It was not until the 89th minute that Egypt buckled allowing Gimenez to punish them with a header on a day Mo Salah was expecting a perfect birthday gift from his teammates.