Egypt’s El Hadary sets World Cup record
THE OLDEST person to play in a FIFA World Cup match made some spectacular saves yesterday. He also watched two go past him.
Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who is 45, took the field for his team’s final group match to set the record. Although he saved one penalty, he could not stop Saudi Arabia from winning 2-1 in a game between two teams that had already been eliminated.
“I am very sorry for the fans, for everyone in Egypt,” El Hadary said. “I want to thank my teammates. It was a great honour for me to play.”
Salem Aldawsari scored the winner for the Saudis with almost the last kick of the match, volleying past El Hadary from a tight angle inside the Egypt penalty area.
SALAH STRIKES AGAIN
Mohamed Salah, playing for the second time since injuring his left shoulder in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, had put Egypt ahead in the 22nd minute after deftly controlling a long ball from Abdalla Said and then lobbing goalkeeper Yasser Almosailem.
It was Salah’s second goal at the World Cup, and Egypt’s first in open play at the World Cup since 1934.
Salman Alfaraj got the Saudis level with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time after Ali Gabr brought down Fahad Almuwallad in the area. The decision was confirmed after a video review and the penalty was taken in the sixth minute of injury time.
“I think that in general we kept control of the pace, we kept possession ... and I think that we deserved to win,” Saudi coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said. “Talking about the future, well, the association will have to decide what they’re going to do.”