Football Results

The second round of the first round in group A of the World Cup which is held in Russia, brings us a clash between the double world champion Uruguay and the team of Egypt, which otherwise returns to the big scene after 28 years of absence. Otherwise, these two teams are specific by the fact that they are holding a record in the number of titles won on the continental contests, so Uruguay has so far been the winner of Copa America 15 times, while on the other hand, Egypt has won the African Cup of Nations seven times. We should also add that this is only their second duel in history, while the first, which was of a friendly character and played in 2006 in Alexandria, the guests from Uruguay celebrated with 2-0

Egypt

However, the Egyptians have in recent years led by Argentinian coach Hector Cuper improved their game considerably, and they even reached the finals at last year's African Cup of Nations, but were stopped by Cameroon, which celebrated with 2-1. Otherwise, African recorders were particularly impressive in these qualifications for the World Cup in Russia, where they in the last round left behind teams of Uganda, Ghana and Congo, thus achieving four wins, one draw and one defeat, which eventually brought them this long-awaited return to the world's biggest football competition, as they made their last appearance at World Cup in 1990 in Italy.

However, there is not much optimism in the team of Egypt before the start of this championship in Russia, primarily because their best player Salah got injured at the end of May in the finals of the Champions League, which is why his performance at the World Cup was even questionable, while they besides that, in the last five friendly matches, recorded only two draws and three defeats. They have lost to Portugal and Greece in March this year, then they played draws with Kuwait and Colombia in late May and early June, while they were in their last check before their trip to Russia, mastered by Belgium with 3-0. Of course this match has proven the best how much dependent they are on Salah, so we are confident that the medical staff of Egyptian team will do their utmost best to prepare him for this duel with Uruguay, for which they cannot count on the striker Ward due to a minor injury.

Probable lineups Egypt: El Shenawy – Fathi, Samir, Hegazy, Abdel-Shafi – Elneny, Hamed – Salah (Trezeguet), Said, Sobhi – Mohsen

Uruguay

Unlike the Egyptians who are welcoming their first appearance at the World Cup in Russia with anxiety, the team of Uruguay is full of optimism after having scored the same number of wins in the last three appearances. Namely, they first mastered the team of Czech Republic and Wales in March of this year, and then they celebrated with even 3-0 in the last week's friendly match with Uzbekistan. In addition, coach Tabarez’ players, for whom this is the fourth performance at the world championship with Uruguay's team, have in a very difficult South American qualifiers for this competition, shown very good games, and they eventually took second place on the table, immediately behind the brilliant Brazil.

Of course, all of these data put them in the role of the main favourite in group A of the World Cup in Russia, especially since they had a lot of luck in the draw, since they got the host of Russia from that first hat, while they should not fear too much from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially after the injury of Salah. On the other hand, the Uruguayans are also relying on two great strikers, Suarez and Cavani, while their last line is one of the most experienced in the championship. We should also add that defender Vaerla should miss this duel with Egypt due to a minor injury, while center-back Lemos, midfielder Pereiro and striker Rolan are all out of action due to injuries.

Probable lineups Uruguay: Muslera – Pereira, Godin, Gimenez, Caceres – Nandez, Vecino, Bentancur – de Arrascaeta – Cavani, Suarez

Verdict:

Regardless of whether the injured Salah will get a chance from the first minute, we believe that the Egyptians, even with their first star in the team, have nothing to look for in this duel with a much better team of Uruguay, especially if their strikers Cavani and Suarez turn out to be in the good mood.

Pick: Uruguay wins 1.63 - 63/100 @1XBet