At 18, Russia equals Cup penalties record

MOSCOW: Salman Al-Faraj’s penalty-kick for Saudi Arabia, who beat Egypt 2-1 in Volgograd on Monday, was the 18th awarded in this World Cup, matching the all-time record tally set at the 2002 edition. In Brazil four years ago, there were only 13 penalties in the entire tournament.

The use of the video assistant referee (VAR) system has contributed hugely to the spike, and it was employed again to set up Al-Faraj for his spot kick. Al-Faraj’s penalty was the second awarded in the match.

Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Al-Muwallad was given a penalty after a foul in the box in the 39th minute but his effort was saved by the keeper. Saudi Arabia ended a run of 12 World Cup matches without winning (drawn 2, lost 10).

This was their first win since June 1994 when they won 1-0 against Belgium. Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead. Salman Alfaraj drew level and Salem Aldawsari got the winner.

Monday’s win also marked the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that three Asian teams had registered victories in a single edition. Earlier, Japan beat Colombia 2-1 and Iran beat Morocco 1-0. Another record was created when Egypt keeper Essam El Hadary took the field. At the age of 45 years and 161 days, he is the oldest player in the history of the World Cup, breaking the record set by Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon in 2014 (43 years, 3 days).