Football
Ed Dove, Special to ESPN 6y

Mohamed El Shenawy, Tarek Hamed are Egypt's positives as Pharaohs let it slip

Egypt, with Mohamed Salah left on the bench, looked like they were set to take a point from group favourites Uruguay only for Jose Gimenez to head home a 90th-minute winner to ensure the Pharaohs' wait for a first-ever World Cup win will continue.

While the North Africans ultimately leave Yekaterinburg empty handed, there are various reasons for encouragement following a committed, disciplined display in which they largely negated the threat of a poor Uruguay side.

Positives

When Salah returns, it's clear that Egypt will have the extra refinement up front and can find the cutting edge to trouble Russia and Saudi Arabia in a way that they weren't able to cause problems for Uruguay on Friday.

Hector Cuper can take encouragement from the fact that while his team were defensively resilient and kept their shape, they nonetheless sought to be proactive in possession.

Negatives

Up front, without Salah, Egypt lacked a credible offensive threat, and perhaps exposed Hector Cuper's decision to leave Kouka at home.

Marwen Mohsen barely troubled Fernando Muslera, opting to hold up the ball - and slow down the play - on the rare occasions when he was picked out by the Pharaohs' attacking midfielders.

Manager rating (out of 10):

8 - Hector Cuper: Made two big selection decisions, opting for Mohamed El Shenawy and Amr Warda, and the duo were among Egypt's best performers on the day. The Argentine coach succeeded in ensuring his team were defensively resilient and well organised, but they nonetheless pressed forward and didn't allow Uruguay to heap too much pressure on them.

Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):

GK Mohamed El Shenawy, 8 - Unexpectedly preferred to Essam El Hadary, denying the veteran the chance to break a World Cup record, and vindicated the decision. Organised his defence effectively, demonstrated solid handling, and twice denied Luis Suarez during the second period. One late excellent save from Edinson Cavani almost secured the point for the Pharaohs.

DF Mohamed Abdel Shafy, 6 - Largely resisted the temptation to press forward, instead preferring to remain in line with the centre-backs and cut off Uruguayan threats from the channels. Gave away the cheap foul for the free kick that led to the South Americans' winner.

DF Ahmed Hegazy, 6 - Physical presence in the heart of the backline, he coped well with Uruguay's forwards and made a series of vital interceptions and clearances, only to be out-jumped by Gimenez for the Celeste's winner.

DF Ali Gabr, 6 - Will surely have been relieved to have seen Cavani and, particularly Suarez enjoy such an off day, although the latter was left unmarked and would have buried a first-half chance on another occasion.

DF Ahmed Fathy, 7 - Solid display from the veteran full-back. He's been made to wait for this moment more than most, and his immense experience shone thorough during some periods of Uruguayan pressure. Tested Muslera with a powerful strike midway through the second half, tackled effectively, and saw a lot of the ball.

MF Mohamed Elneny, 7 - Enjoyed a great battle with Nahitan Nandez in the heart of the park, but didn't get the opportunity to venture forward - as he often does to great effect for the Pharaohs - too regularly. His calm passing proved central to Europe's measured approach.

MF Tarek Hamed, 8 - Typically tenacious in the heart of the park, and worked effectively alongside Elneny to ensure that the supply line to Uruguay's forwards was cut off. Arguably the most impressive player on the park during the first half, and it's to his credit that the opposition midfield looked so disjointed. Replaced with injury in the 50th minute.

MF Trezeguet, 6 - Exuded confidence, but his delivery was largely poor and he fluffed his lines early in the second half when he had the opportunity to play in Mohsen.

MF Abdallah El Said, 5 - Was fortunate not to be booked for an embarrassing dive midway through the first half, and largely failed to feed the forward line.

MF Amr Warda, 7 - Salah's replacement, he repaid his manager's faith with endeavour and disciplined pressing. He didn't offer the Liverpool man's guile, but still looked lively, linked up well with Mohsen on occasion, and was proactive in running at the Uruguay defenders.

FW Marwen Mohsen, 6 - Battled manfully, but largely ineffective leading the line on his own and struggled to get any change from Diego Godin. Held the ball up effectively, but often slowed Egypt's attack.

Substitutes

MF Sam Morsy, 6 - An early second-half substitute for the injured Hamed.

FW Kahraba, 6 - Introduced on 63 minutes and settled quickly, but was frustrated not to have received better service.

MF Ramadan Sobhi, N/R

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