In exactly one month, Russia 2018 kicks off and we continue our mini-previews.
Following on from Russia and Saudi Arabia, we look into Group A counterparts Egypt, who could upset the odds this summer.
The Pharaohs secured their spot at the World Cup after topping Group E in CAF qualifying and it was a welcome reprieve for the nation, who hadn’t qualified for football’s elite tournament since 1990. It’ll be their third appearance at a World Cup in their history and they have a very good chance of navigating past hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to the next round of the competition.
When it comes to picking a star man, it’s impossible to overlook Mohamed Salah, who will come into the World Cup in a rich vein of form. On Sunday, he became the record goalscorer in a 38-match Premier League season after bagging his 32nd league goal of the campaign in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Brighton to steal the Golden Boot off Harry Kane.
While he ends the season at least two goals behind Lionel Messi in Europe’s top five leagues, Salah can celebrate a hugely impressive debut campaign with the Reds. While he has the Champions League final to look forward to, the 25-year-old will be looking beyond the meeting with Real Madrid and ahead to the summer tournament.
He’ll have the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders, but it’s a pressure Salah thrives off. Egypt only scored eight goals in six group meetings with Uganda, Ghana and Congo, but the Liverpool star netted five of those goals, including the 90th minute penalty to defeat Congo 2-1 in the penultimate group game to secure Egypt’s place in Russia.
With the eyes of Egypt focused solely on Salah, he maintained his composure to hit the back of the net, sending the national into a frenzy. He’s a player who excels under the spotlight and his influence in the final third will be vital next month. Salah’s obviously the one to watch, but he isn’t Egypt’s sole star attacker to keep an eye on.
Kasimpasa winger Trezeguet has been in flying form in the Super Lig this season, scoring 13 and assisting six. His WhoScored.com rating (7.53) is better than any other player in Turkey’s top tier this term, with the 23-year-old helping himself to eight WhoScored.com man of the match awards; no player has more in the Super Lig.
What’s more, Trezeguet has completed more dribbles (96) than any other player in the Super Lig this season and if opponents focus their efforts on keeping Salah at bay, the Kasimpasa star could be afforded the space to hurt teams at the World Cup. Either way, defences will have a tough time in keeping the attacking duo at bay and in one of the competitions easier groups, Salah and Trezeguet have the attacking capability to secure Egypt a knockout spot this summer.
