Russia beat Egypt 3-1 as Salah returns

The dejection was written all over Mohamed Salah’s face as he trudged off the pitch at the St Petersburg Stadium.

Not even he could stop Egypt slipping towards the brink of World Cup exit after they were beaten 3-1 by Russia on Tuesday night.

After weeks of questions over whether he would make it on to the pitch at the tournament due to the shoulder injury suffered in the Uefa Champions League final, Salah gave his nation hope as he was declared fit enough to start after having sat out the opening group game defeat to Uruguay.

But that hope was crushed in the second half as Russia went 3-0 up before Salah was able to make his mark with a consolation from the penalty spot, which made him only the third Egyptian to score at a World Cup.

Egypt now need a footballing miracle to qualify for the next stage, with Saudi Arabia facing Uruguay later on Wednesday.