José Giménez bails out Uruguay with dramatic 89th minute goal against Egypt

For 89 minutes of Friday’s match against Egypt, Uruguay couldn’t find any luck. They had plenty of shots — 14, to be exact — but couldn’t find the net with anyone. That is, until José Giménez saved the day by putting in a corner kick. Now, Uruguay is sitting pretty with three points in Group A and eying up a place in the knockout rounds.

This one wasn’t as lacking in big chances as the final score suggests. There were a ton of scoring opportunities missed by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. This was the worst one.

The game really came alive in the 83rd minute, when Cavani looked like he’d put Uruguay in the lead. Instead, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy came up with the save of his life.

Cavani had another huge chance to score, off an 88th minute free kick. Suarez stepped up to take it, but given his bad day, Cavani waved him off. That move almost paid off — Cavani struck the post with a powerful strike.

Then, finally, Uruguay got its goal in the 89th minute. Their superstar strikers couldn’t get the job done, but defender José Giménez could with a brilliant header on a corner kick.

Given yesterday’s result, Egypt is now in huge trouble. Russia is looking formidable after a 5-0 win after Saudi Arabia, and has a big goal differential advantage. The Egyptians will need two huge performances to have a chance to make the knockout stage.

There have been some big chances, but no goals in the first half between Egypt and Uruguay. And Luis Suarez, in particular, probably feels pretty bad about that.

Egypt 0-0 Uruguay, halftime score

Yikes. The entire stadium thought this was in. The announcers didn’t even realize he’d hit the side netting and the scoreboard operator put a goal on the board.

Suarez looked like he knew he should have scored.

Egypt v Uruguay: Group A - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Still, there’s been some nice play between Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Rodrigo Bentancur. Uruguay looks capable of scoring in the second half. Egypt, meanwhile, might need to bring Mohamed Salah — who has a hurt shoulder — off the bench to generate something in attack.

The big team news ahead of the World Cup Group A showdown between Uruguay and Egypt is the absence of Mohamed Salah. Egypt said their star player would be ready to go for the first match, but he’s on the bench. Uruguay, meanwhile, lines up as expected.

Egypt lineup

Uruguay lineup

The first of three World Cup games on Friday is a Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay. The game will be held at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia, at 8 a.m ET on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports Go.

Egypt is playing in its third World Cup and first since 1990. Mohamed Salah is expected to play for Egypt after he suffered a shoulder injury during the Champions League final. Salah scored 32 goals for Liverpool this season. Uruguay is making its 13th appearance overall, and fourth under manager Oscar Tabarez.

Both teams will be feeling like they can’t afford to lose this game after the opener, where Russia beat Saudi Arabia, 5-0. With the Russians looking more dangerous than expected, either one of these teams would face an uphill battle to get out of Group A if they failed to at least get one point from their opening match.

Time: 8 a.m. ET

Location: Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg, Russia

TV: FOX Sports 1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish)

Streaming: Watch the game on Fox Sports Go (English) and Telemundo Deportes en vivo (Spanish) for free if you sign in with your TV provider. It’s also on subscription services like Fubo and Hulu.

Odds: Uruguay -1 (full odds at OddsShark)

For listings from more countries, check out Live Soccer TV.

Egypt key player: Mohamed Salah

As long as Salah didn’t need surgery on his injured shoulder, he was always going to play. Egypt has a decent team around him, but it’s hardly filled with superstars. He’s the one big standout player, and Egypt’s path to the knockout round has to include him scoring goals.

Uruguay key player: Luis Suarez

Suarez didn’t even get to complete the last World Cup for Uruguay. He was sent home early for biting an opponent, and his team struggled without him. Suarez has cleaned up his act in recent seasons at Barcelona, and is once again expected to be his team’s best player, up top alongside Edinson Cavani.

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