Salah's Egypt leave World Cup winless after late Saudi defeat
Egypt's forward Marwan Mohsen is marked by Saudi Arabia's defender Osama Hawsawi (left) during their 2018 World Cup Group A match at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd on June 25, 2018. PHOTO | MARK RALSTON |
What you need to know:
- The 45-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary became the oldest player in World Cup history and saved the first of two controversial penalties after Salah had opened the scoring, with Salman Al-Faraj equalising from the second spot-kick, before Al-Dawsari had the final say.
Salem Al Dawsari scored with the last kick of the game as Saudi Arabia ended their World Cup campaign with a consolation 2-1 win over Egypt in Group A.
Al Dawsari's goal means that Saudi Arabia finish third in the pool on three points, while Egypt return home without a point to show for their efforts.
Essam El Hadary had earlier looked like claiming the spotlight after becoming the oldest player to ever play in the World Cup at the age of 45 years and 161 days and saving a first-half penalty from Fahad Al Muwallad.
No sooner had the veteran goalkeeper finished celebrating and he was facing another spot-kick, this time given after the lightest of shirt tugs by Ali Gabr on Al Muwallad.
Referee Wilmar Roldan was encouraged to review the decision by VAR, but the Colombian stood by his initial call giving Salam Al Faraj the chance - after a three-minute delay - to drill past El Hadary and pull his side level deep into first-half stoppage time.
Egypt's forward Mohamed Salah kicks the ball during their Russia 2018 World Cup Group A match against Saudi Arabia at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd on June 25, 2018. PHOTO | NICOLAS ASFOURI |
Mohamed Salah - whose international future has been the subject of intense speculation this week - had earlier opened the scoring for Egypt with a fine finish, but Hector Cuper's men finished empty handed thanks to Al Dawsari's last-gasp effort.
