After losing to Uruguay in the opening game via Jose Gimenez's 95th-minute strike, the Pharaohs were faced with a daunting task to make amends against host nation Russia. Their chances of possibly clinching victory received a mega boost following the return of Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup.
However, the North Africans experienced a nightmare in the early minutes of the second-half despite showing promise in the first 45-minutes. An onslaught began after skipper Ahmed Fathi saw his clearance end up in his own net.
Russia 1-0 Egypt. A calamitous own goal from Fathi puts Russia in front and Egypt are in big trouble. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #EGY pic.twitter.com/AbIQEEsiBM
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2018
Per the record books of the competition, it was the fifth own-goal conceded at this year's World Cup. Egypt, in turn, became the third African country to concede an own-goal at the World Cup after Nigeria and Morocco.
Having taken the lead, Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba took Russia's tally in th game to three in a space of two minutes. Mohamed Salah got the consolation goal for the Pharaohs in the 73rd minute after being awarded a penalty.