A few years ago at the Proact, well as he was playing, you'd have got big odds against Sam Morsy tangling successfully with Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez, but this afternoon he did it when he got on as sub for Egypt. He did very well, didn't look out of place for a moment, but it wasn't enough. Uruguay were very much off it. Suarez was even more off it. Uruguay's sought-after young midfielders didn't move the ball quickly to dangerous forwards as I expected, they held play up, and lost the ball to Egypt's defensive midfield. But as-ever though permanently on the verge of meltdown Uruguay kept going. They've got two of the best centre backs in the competition and a choice at full back whilst behind them Muslera is sound enough.
Russia at worst have to avoid losing against Egypt, who were good enough and sound enough to make it difficult for an off-colour Uruguay. Locked at 0-0 Egypt didn't bring on Salah to try for a winner. Did they settle for a point or is Salah that far from fitness? But would you field a player whose fitness might be doubtful against Uruguay of all countries? Given a few more days and if he's fit IMO he could do a job on the hosts because the rest of his team look good enough match Russia in most areas of the field.
Saudi Arabia undergoing regime change is more likely than them finding a side to hold a Uruguay team that would be almost assured of qualification by victory, and you'd have to back an Egypt with Salah in the team against the deflated Saudis in their last game too. Second place in this group could come down to Dzagoev-out and Salah-in.
Russia at worst have to avoid losing against Egypt, who were good enough and sound enough to make it difficult for an off-colour Uruguay. Locked at 0-0 Egypt didn't bring on Salah to try for a winner. Did they settle for a point or is Salah that far from fitness? But would you field a player whose fitness might be doubtful against Uruguay of all countries? Given a few more days and if he's fit IMO he could do a job on the hosts because the rest of his team look good enough match Russia in most areas of the field.
Saudi Arabia undergoing regime change is more likely than them finding a side to hold a Uruguay team that would be almost assured of qualification by victory, and you'd have to back an Egypt with Salah in the team against the deflated Saudis in their last game too. Second place in this group could come down to Dzagoev-out and Salah-in.