#WorldCup : Uruguay strike late to beat fighting Egypt as Salah sits out match

Jose Gimenez was the unlikely 89th-minute match winner as Uruguay defeated an Egypt side shorn of star man Mohamed Salah 1-0 in their World Cup opener today.

Uruguay's deserved last-gasp victory leaves them and Russia in early control in Group A after the hosts' 5-0 mauling of Saudi Arabia in the tournament opener on Thursday.
A poor game looked likely to end in stalemate but with Uruguay cranking up the pressure late on, defender Gimenez rose to power a header into the top corner and break Egypt hearts.

Aside from Liverpool ace Salah failing to get off the bench with his shoulder injury, another major talking point was also off the pitch – large portions of empty seats in one main stand at the Yekaterinburg Arena were an embarrassing sight for FIFA and local organisers.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani had a couple of half-chances for Uruguay in the first half, the best made by himself when he juggled the ball and lashed it on the volley from outside the box, but it was deflected over.

Attacking partner Luis Suarez – in his first World Cup appearance since his biting ban of 2014 – was largely quiet in an unremarkable first period, doing his best work when he drifted between the lines of Egypt's defence and midfield.
Marwan Mohsen played as a lone forward for Egypt, but with Salah missing and

Uruguay skipper Diego Godin imperious, he hardly had a sniff.
One of the biggest cheers came after 30 minutes when the stadium screens showed Salah happily chatting away on the bench but that is where the birthday boy – who turned 26 on Friday – remained.

With Egypt coach Hector Cuper saying on the eve of the clash that Salah had recovered from the injury sustained three weeks ago in the Champions League final, Egyptians will be desperately hoping their talisman is back for the game with Russia on Tuesday, now a must-win.

The north Africans, contesting their first World Cup since 1990, were for the main part fairly comfortable in defence and Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny was a constant presence at the base of Egypt's midfield.

Suarez, who had a frustrating afternoon, forced goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy into a decent stop straight after half-time, the Barcelona striker slamming his boot into an advertising board in anger.

He thumped the turf on 73 minutes when Elshenawy smothered at his feet, and seven minutes from the end the stopper was at it again, palming Cavani's drive over.

Cavani then struck a post with a free-kick as Egypt held on with increasing desperation, before Gimenez's dramatic late intervention.

Uruguay - Team Profile - World Cup 2014

Uruguay 60 Second Team Profile | Brazil 2014 World Cup

5 Biggest Nations Who Might Miss Out - Brazil 2014

The 2014 World Cup is now just 18 months away, with 31 places remaining to join host nation Brazil at world football's biggest and most prestigious competition.

In some continents' qualifying competitions, it is simply too early to cast judgement on the possible winners and losers. However, in Europe and South America we are reaching the halfway stage and starting to gain an idea of which countries are set to qualify.

While I must stress that this is still guesswork, to some extent, let's take a look at five well-respected footballing nations who face challenges to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

1.Uruguay 

The South American qualifying section is a long, drawn-out affair with all the continent's sides playing out what is effectively a nine-team league campaign.

Now, with nine of 16 rounds already completed, we are starting to get an idea of how the competition is finally shaping up, with Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador currently flying high.

However, for Copa America champions Uruguay, the picture is not so bright.

La Celeste currently lie fifth, in a playoff position, level on points with both Chile and Venezuela. In their next four games, Uruguay face difficult away trips to both their major rivals for qualification, as well as a visit to Lima to face Peru.

First up for Uruguay is a fixture at home to Paraguay which is now a must-win encounter ahead of the three long journeys.

Fail to win the game in Montevideo, or lose to both their major rivals, and Uruguay could be cast adrift in the race for Brazil 2014 with games to spare.

2.Portugal 

Portugal are already facing a massive challenge to qualify for Brazil 2014, finding themselves lying in third place in their group with four of 10 fixtures already played.

Five points behind leaders Russia, it already looks a major challenge for the Iberians to qualify automatically. However, level with Israel on seven points, it will be far from straightforward to even ensure a playoff spot.

Portugal have recent history of qualifying for major tournaments through the playoff process, but they face six gruelling matches, including visits to some of Europe's more distant outposts, before they even reach that stage.

Should they reach that point, there are always risks attached with relying on a knockout tie to progress to the finals.

3.France 

It seems very harsh to describe a side who are currently unbeaten in their qualification campaign as candidates to miss out on the World Cup.

Unfortunately for France, though, they are in the same group as reigning champions Spain, with only one side progressing automatically to the finals.

France may have drawn away to their major rivals. However, in spite of that result, recent years would suggest that the Spaniards remain favourite for progression.

Should that be the case, then France will have to deal with the potentially difficult process of the playoffs and whatever opposition that entails.

Didier Deschamps appears to have got a decent balance to his side and is moving in the right direction. Their second seed status, though, could come back to haunt them if they fail in the playoff stages.

4.Paraguay 

To date, Paraguay have qualified for four consecutive World Cup tournaments. However, with the country languishing at the bottom of the pile in qualifying for 2014, they look unlikely to make a fifth. 

After nine games Paraguay lie five points off qualification, while their upcoming trips to Uruguay and Ecuador are not promising in terms of gathering a fruitful points return.

Paraguay's qualification hopes currently look bleak at best. 

Scoring goals has been the Albirroja's biggest downfall, with just six in nine matches a sure recipe for disaster.

To stand any chance, new coach Gerardo Pelusso must get them scoring and look to improve a record of no points from five away games.

5.Serbia 

Serbia were handed a tough task to qualify for Brazil 2014, with strong Croatia and Belgium sides also within their group. The two favourites have justified their status and currently lead the group by a six-point margin.

In four group stage games so far, the Serbian side have managed just one win—a 6-1 victory at home to Wales. However, that triumph was followed by disappointing defeats at home to Belgium and away to Macedonia.

In their remaining fixtures, Serbia must navigate difficult away fixtures against both favourites for the group, as well as a trip to Cardiff to face Wales.

Their chances of progression already look minimal, without qualifying even having reached its midway point.

By 

 

CHRISTOPHER ATKINS

Golden Ball for Forlan and Mueller takes Young player Award

Following Spain's 2010 World Cup final triumph over the Netherlands, Uruguay striker Diego Forlan picked up the Golden Ball award while young Germany forward Thomas Mueller took the Best Young Player accolade as well as the Golden Boot.

Atletico Madrid striker Forlan proved to be one of the star performers in South Africa, beating off competition from the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Spain hitman David Villa to be crowned the tournament's best player - as voted for by the media.

Forlan was, however, pipped to the post when it came to the Golden Boot, with Thomas Mueller's five goals and three assists for Germany edging him ahead of Silver Boot winner Villa and Holland playmaker Sneijder who picked up the bronze award.

Mueller also claimed the Best Young Player gong for his impressive performances in South Africa, beating both Ghana's Andre Ayew and Mexico's Giovanni Dos Santos to claim the prize.


Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who made a string of impressive saves in Spain's final triumph over the Netherlands, claimed the Golden Glove while Vicente del Bosque's side were also recognised with the Fair Play Award.

Germany goes home winning 4th 3rd place

18:30 GMT, July 10, 2010
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa





Uruguay
2 - 3
Germany

Germany secured third place in the World Cup courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 win over Uruguay in Port Elizabeth. A Sami Khedira header settled a game that saw both Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan move onto five goals for the tournament.


Muller currently leads the race after his fifth goal of the tournament - the same as Diego Forlan, David Villa and Wesley Sneijder but with more assists. Villa and Sneijder play in Sunday's final but Muller, the outstanding young player of the tournament, set the target in only his eighth appearance for Germany.

Muller opened the scoring in a rain-soaked Port Elizabeth before Edinson Cavani equalised for Uruguay, then Diego Forlan volleyed the South Americans in front before a goalkeeping error allowed Marcell Jansen to equalise.

A thrilling game - the most open contest of the World Cup - was finally decided when Sami Khedira headed home to give Germany their second third-place finish in consecutive tournaments.

Germany's hopes had looked dented when Miroslav Klose - who could have broken Ronaldo's all-time scoring record of 15 World Cup goals - was ruled out by a back injury. Muller was back from suspension however, as was Luis Suarez, the man whose controversial handball prevented Ghana from reaching the semi-finals.

It was Germany who seized control of the match in the opening exchanges with Cacau having a goal ruled out and Arne Friedrich thumping a header against the crossbar.

Germany made their dominance tell in the 19th minute when Bastian Schweinsteiger let fly from 30 yards and Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera misjudged the shot, allowing Muller to tuck home the loose ball with a minimum of fuss.

That should have been the cue for Joachim Low's side to impose their game on the South Americans but instead Schweinsteiger, their skipper and inspiration all tournament, allowed himself to be caught in possession by Diego Perez and suddenly it was the Germans being hit on the break.

Suarez's perfectly-timed pass put Cavani through on the left and he finished expertly low into the far corner to put Uruguay on level terms in the 28th minute.

Suarez, the striker who has been so deadly for Ajax, spurned an excellent chance to seize the lead when he fired wide late in the first half. The same player was denied again in the second by a reaction block from Hans-Jorg Butt, seconds after he had thwarted Cavani, but Germany's keeper could do nothing when Forlan's first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Egidio Arevalo muscled his way down the right and Forlan met his cross on the volley, the ball bouncing down into the ground and whistling into the net with Butt helpless.

But just when Uruguay looked on top another goalkeeping blunder allowed Germany back into the game. Muslera came for Jerome Boateng's cross but missed it completely, allowing Jansen to head into an empty net.

Butt kept Forlan at bay while at the other end substitute Stefan Kiessling twice came close to restoring Germany's lead.

With eight minutes left Mesut Ozil's corner caused chaos in the Uruguay area and Khedira looped a header into the corner to make it 3-2.

Kiessling scooped over from a great position before, with the very last kick of the game, Forlan blasted a free-kick against the frame of the goal.

Scoring Summary

Uruguay	Germany
Edinson Cavani (28')	Thomas Müller (19')
Diego Forlán (51')	Marcell Jansen (56')
	Sami Khedira (82')

Match Stats

Uruguay

Germany

16(7)	Shots (on Goal)	18(7)
13	Fouls	11
6	Corner Kicks	12
2	Offsides	3
47%	Time of Possession	53%
1	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
4	Saves	4

Match Information

Stadium:	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Attendance:
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Benito Archundia Tellez

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Sami Khedira - The holding midfielder scored the winning goal but it was an all-round performance of real energy and verve that sees him given this honour ahead of Diego Forlan. Khedira was his usual bustling presence alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger but also contributed to Germany's attacking thrusts and his headed goal was just reward for a tournament in which his reputation has grown immeasurably.

Uruguay verdict: Oscar Tabarez's side demonstrated the spirit and determination that took them to the semi-finals when responding to Thomas Muller's opener, but, like their campaign in South Africa, they just fell short. Forlan was masterful in attack, rounding off a tremendous tournament for the Atletico Madrid striker, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was culpable for two Germany goals.

Germany verdict: Third place is the least that Germany deserve after lighting up the tournament with the quality of their play. With Thomas Muller back on the right side of the attack following his suspension against Spain, Joachim Low's side once again hit their stride and played a full part in an entertaining contest. They undoubtedly missed Miroslav Klose as well as flu-hit captain Philipp Lahm though, with Cacau disappointing and Dennis Aogo lucky not to be dismissed for a horrible challenge on Diego Perez.

Could do better: Cacau - Miroslav Klose's injury gifted the Brazilian-born striker the chance to make his mark on the World Cup, but Cacau failed miserably to do so. Isolated, listless and wayward in his shooting, this was a performance in total contrast to the general excellence of Klose. His night came to a premature end when replaced by Stefan Kiessling, who immediately looked a much more dangerous presence in the Germany attack.

Stat attack: The last seven third-place play-offs matches have been won by European teams.