Russia 2018: Saudis beat Egypt despite Salah strike in final game

Mohamed Salah scored his second goal of the World Cup but Egypt ended their campaign pointless with defeat by Saudi Arabia at Volgograd Arena.

The Liverpool forward gave Egypt the lead with a brilliant lob over keeper Yasser Al-Mosailem in the 22nd minute.

Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, 45, became the oldest player to feature at a World Cup and saved Fahad Al Muwallad’s penalty.

However, he could not stop Salman Al Faraj’s spot-kick and was beaten again by Salem Al Dawsari with seconds left.

El Hadary makes history, saves pen… but ends up on losing side

It was an opening half of record achievements and firsts.

Egypt keeper El Hadary became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match, the team scored their first World Cup from open play since 1934 and the Saudis scored their first goal of the tournament.

And it was first blood to Egypt as Salah recorded his second goal of the tournament.

The Liverpool forward, mistakenly omitted from the starting XI in the initial tweet from the Egyptian FA, collected a long ball from Abdallah El Said and finished with a lofted effort over the head of keeper Al-Mosailem.

Up until then Saudi Arabia had been on top, but had failed to test El Hadary. That changed in the 41st minute when the Asian side were awarded a penalty for Ahmed Fathy’s handball.

Al Muwallad took the spot-kick, but his firm strike was brilliantly pushed onto the bar by the veteran.

However, in first-half stoppage time Saudi were awarded a second penalty – after a VAR review – when Ali Gabr was deemed to have pulled down Al Muwallad in the area.

Source: BBC