Russia continued the perfect start to their own World Cup, overcoming Mo Salah’s Egypt in the torrential rain in St. Petersburg to all but guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Second half goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba, added to an Egypt own goal, were enough to claim the three points and place Russia atop Group A, while Salah’s late penalty did ensure that he became just the third Egyptian player ever to score in a World Cup.
Try as he might, the Liverpool forward was unable to inspire his team to victory in his first game since badly injuring his shoulder in the Champions League Final almost four weeks ago.
Despite the negativity surrounding the team as they failed to win any of the seven warm-up matches in advance of the tournament, they now find themselves sitting pretty at the top of their group, with their eight goals scored in the first two matches among the most scored by a team in a World Cup since 1974.
READ MORE: Flash storm rampages through St. Petersburg Stadium before Russia-Egypt match (VIDEO)
Below is a sample of the social media reaction to the Russian victory, as Egypt fans come to terms with almost certainly having to book an early flight home.
All about momentum in games and Russia made the most of a brief period of control in this game!! The host are flying!! #RUSGoals at the last three World Cups:2002: ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️2014: ⚽️⚽️2018: ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️Who would have thought it 🤷🏽♀️
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) June 19, 2018
Thank you and good bye. This tournament is over. #WorldCup #RUS pic.twitter.com/bpkaRjAzSC
— Miloš Marković (@MilosMarkovic) June 19, 2018
As #EGY tries to mount a comeback against #RUS, the rain in Russia comes down harder and harder. Man, Putin really is omnipotent. #WorldCup
— Jon Becker (@jonbecker) June 19, 2018
it's raining so hard in saint petersburg that journalists are rushing to the doors to take videos of the rain. i can't be bothered getting one, so just imagine an insane amount of water falling from the sky. last time i saw rain like this was in liverpool the day of LFC 5-2 roma
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) June 19, 2018
Putin visits the VAR control centre #RUSEGY pic.twitter.com/NfhqzbV5Xx
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) June 19, 2018
I somehow blame Sergio Ramos for all of this #RUSEGY pic.twitter.com/RabepD45tf
— ♛Koketjo ♕ (@luciaralepobe) June 19, 2018
All I wanted was for Mohamed Salah’s name to be registered forever as a goal scorer for us at the #WorldCup. We have put so much pressure on this young man. #EGY #RUSEGY #WorldCup
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) June 19, 2018
Salah carrying the hopes & expectations of entire Nation...#RUSEGY pic.twitter.com/PWeMon3aa6
— Boring... (@graphicalcomic) June 19, 2018