Iceland hold Argentina to memorable 1-1 draw in Group D
Iceland earned a memorable point from their debut game in the 2018 World Cup in Russia as they held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in Group D at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow this afternoon.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring with a rasping first-half finish to register his first ever World Cup goal, before Iceland hit back immediately to equalise through frontman Alfred Finnbogason just two minutes later in the Russian capital.
In a game of vastly opposing styles but very slim margins, Lionel Messi had the chance to secure Argentina three points from the spot in the second half, although Icelandic stopper Hannes Thor Halldorsson produced a remarkable save to earn his side an unforgettable point.
Argentina might just have snatched three points in the final embers of the game when Pavon came in off the left flank to bend an effort through a number of bodies, leaving Halldorsson to again make another stunning save to push the ball away from the far corner and earn Iceland a famous point in their debut World Cup contest.
Mohamed Salah fit to face Russia
Mohamed Salah is fit for Egypt’s World Cup group match with Russia on Tuesday, says the Egyptian Football Association. Salah, 25, was an unused substitute in his country’s 1-0 defeat by Uruguay in their opening group game on Thursday when he was also declared fit.
He injured his shoulder playing for Liverpool in the Champions League final on 26 May.
“He was fit to play against Uruguay but the coach did not want to take the risk,” said the EFA.
Without Salah, who scored 44 times for Liverpool this season, Egypt lacked a cutting edge but had looked on course to earn a point in their first match at a World Cup finals since 1990 before Jose Gimenez’s 90th-minute goal.
After the game, Egypt coach Hector Cuper said: “Mo Salah is an extremely important player for us, nobody can deny that, but you need to have a good team, and we have a good team.
“Perhaps if Mo had been on the pitch the outcome would have been different but we can’t know that.
“Certainly he has contributed a great amount to the team and will contribute in future matches.
“We wanted to avoid any risks in this match, but I think he will be fine for the next game.”