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Uruguay striker adds insult to injury for crocked Liverpool superstar
JOSE GIMENEZ powered home a lastminute winner – as Mo Salah waited in vain for his World Cup bow.
It was veteran Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez leaping off the bench to celebrate with the aid of a crutch, despite suffering chronic illness.
Liverpool hero Salah, recovering from his Champions League final shoulder damage, remained on the Egypt bench despite coach Hector Cuper claiming he was 100 per cent likely to play.
Salah will be needed to spark the meek attacking play against Russia and Saudi Arabia – and break Egypt’s five-game wait for a victory at finals.
The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when Carlos Sanchez swung in a free-kick, met by the muscular Gimenez.
It is the first time in the last seven World Cups that Uruguay have won their opening game.
Tabarez said: “Winning today has given us some calm. We made it happen, very late. First opening win since 1970.
“We will fine tune and hope to go much further.
“Had Mo Salah been fit, Egypt would have benefited.”
Rival coach Hector Cuper said: “Salah didn’t play because we wanted to avoid any risks. I think he will be fine for the next match.”
Cuper said players fasting for the Muslim period of Ramadan had not been a factor.
He added: “Over Ramadan we respected Ramadan. Does it affect the players? We have tried to tackle fasting as best as possible. The players are used to this and it is not an excuse.”
Egypt disrupted the South American’s approach and clung on well during the match. But Uruguay, in all honesty, failed to live up to their reputations as potential contenders.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani gave glimpses of their danger, but his strike partner Luis Suarez had a stinker.
Cavani hit the post with a free-kick seconds before the opener, and earlier fired in a brilliant volley that was beaten away by keeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The frustration of Suarez, who missed when clean through, lasted until the last minute of the game.
The former Liverpool favourite grew increasingly furious with his poor form, and produced at least two examples of play acting.
His Uruguay skipper Diego Godin, in contrast, was superb. He sniffed out danger with aggression, cementing his position as the world’s top centre-half.
But it was his backline partner Gimenez who sealed the points.