LONDON: If every there was evidence that football sometimes is not fair, then this was it.
Uruguay came into the match as big favorites, they were supposed to be exciting, determined, possible champions. They turned up predictable and ponderous, and Egypt looked well worth a point. But a powering Jose Gimenez header from a free-kick with just a minute left, left the Pharaohs heartbroken and anyone watching it with a sense of injustice.
But that is football and for all their poise and industry of Egypt they were not able to create the chances that would have put the out-of-sorts Uruguay under pressure.
The big news ahead of kick-off was that Mohamed Salah was on the bench, his shoulder injury still too much of risk to have him starting. But if that disappointment affected his teammates, it did not show. The Pharaohs started confidently. They looked happy in possession and well organized, and it was no surprise when they fashioned the first chance of the match — Mahmoud Trezeguet starting the move on left-hand side before coming across and getting in a shot that was easily saved by Fernando Muslera in the Uruguay goal.
An Edinson Cavani attempt soon after, however, illustrated exactly the cutting edge Egypt lacked — the Uruguay striker dinking the ball over one defender before hitting a well-struck volley that was deflected for a corner. From that set piece Luis Suarez, of all players, missed a great chance at the back post, firing into the side netting when it looked easier to hit the target.
As good a half as they enjoyed, Egypt failed to punish Uruguay in a half during which they were really disappointing.
At the start of the second period it was a different story. They emerged from the dressing room with more energy and purpose. A minute in, Suarez, played in by Cavani, forced a good save from Mohamed El-Shenawy. But that did not prompt a period of pressure from the South Americans. As with the first half they looked half a yard off the pace and lacking sharpness.
The longer it stayed that way the more it suited Egypt. Ahmed Fathy, on one the rare occasions he was able to get forward from right-back, forced a good save from Muslera. That was immediately followed by a great chance at the other end — one-on-one with El-Shenawy Suarez could not get the ball from out of his feet and the Egyptian saved well.
In truth neither side deserved to score, for all of Egypt’s industry they did not create much, and for all of the fleeting glimpses of their class, it would not have been unfair had Uruguay snatched all the points.
So when a great El-Shenawy save and the right-hand post prevented the impressive Cavani from putting Uruguay ahead late on, it seemed natural justice would be served.
That was until Gimenez rose above the Egyptian defense to leave them distraught and left to think of what might have been.
Mohamed Salah watches on as Egypt lose to Uruguay late on
Mohamed Salah watches on as Egypt lose to Uruguay late on
- Salah remains an unused substitute
- Jose Gimenez powers in a late header to break Egypt hearts
Inter continue Scudetto march after Champions League humbling
- Milan will be favorites to win at Cremonese in Sunday’s early fixture, with the local rivals set to face off next weekend in a match which will in all likelihood have little impact on the destination of the Scudetto
MILAN, Italy: Inter Milan bounced back from Champions League elimination with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Genoa which continued their march toward the Serie A title.
Federico Dimarco’s brilliant volley just after the half-hour mark and Hakan Calhanoglu’s second-half penalty were enough for Inter to extend their already huge lead over AC Milan at the top of the table to 13 points.
Milan will be favorites to win at Cremonese in Sunday’s early fixture, with the local rivals set to face off next weekend in a match which will in all likelihood have little impact on the destination of the Scudetto.
Inter, whose fans unloaded a collection of anti-Milan chants in anticipation of the derby, have dropped just two points in 15 league matches and have been a cut above the rest in Italy’s top flight this season.
Their domestic dominance comes in stark contrast to the humiliating manner in which they were dumped out of the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night.
A 5-2 aggregate defeat to the Norwegian minnows cast doubts over not just the quality of Cristian Chivu’s team but of Italian football as a whole.
There was plenty of quality in Dimarco’s opener however, the Italy full-back beautifully placing a first-time finish from a tight angle after exchanging passes with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Little else happened in a humdrum encounter until Alex Amorim handled a cross from Luis Henrique, whose shot had been tipped onto the post just moments before.
Calhanoglu calmly stroked home the spot-kick on his return to action following niggling muscle problems which have caused him issues since before Christmas, sealing the points for Inter.
Big Rom back
Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in the champions’ 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward’s first goal of the season.
Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to snatch the win for third-placed Napoli with the last kick of the game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Napoli had looked like dropping points in northern Italy when Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro levelled Rasmus Hojlund’s early opener in the 65th minute.
But Lukaku, who only played his first game of the season in late January, gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing.
“I was a dead player before coming here,” said Lukaku to DAZN.
“This season has been difficult, but we’ve got to aim high.”
Napoli’s title defense is all but over as they trail Inter by 14 points after an injury-ravaged season.
Napoli were missing key midfielders Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa on Saturday, as well as captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Verona, under interim coach Paolo Sammarco following the sacking of Paolo Zanetti earlier this month, are 10 points from safety after a 12th straight match without a win.
Como, who face Inter in the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday, strolled to 3-1 victory over strugglers Lecce to continue their push for a first-ever qualification for European football.
Cesc Fabregas’s team are two points behind Roma, in fourth and Juventus’ opponents on Sunday, and five behind Napoli.
Como are also two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe’s elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.
