World Cup: Late winners sink African representatives Morocco, Egypt

Just like past editions, the Russia 2018 World Cup  started on the wrong note for Africa's representatives as Egypt and Morocco lost their opening games.

In group A, North African giants Egypt who played without their star striker Mohamed Salah were beaten one nil by Luis Suarez’ Uruguay in their opening group match played at the Ekaterinburg Arena on Friday afternoon.

The South Americans needed a header from defender Jose Maria Giminez in the 90th minute off a Carlos Sanchez's free-kick to go past the Pharaohs who had resisted defeat for the entire game.

Uruguay had earlier missed a couple of chances through Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and PSG's Edison Cavani as Egypt looked clueless and blunt going forward.

Morocco

In the other game, a beautiful diving header in the dying minutes by Morocco’s defender Aziz Bouhaddouz but in his own goal climaxed the first day for the North African team at this year’s World Cup edition.

The African representatives who wasted a number of chances in the first half and were now confident they had at least bagged a point off Iran were punished in the added minutes when they gave away a free-kick.

Ehsan Haji Safi stood up on the occasion to take the free-kick, only for defender Bouhaddouz to beautifully head the ball home to give Iran all the three points in their opening game of the Russia 2018 World Cup on Friday evening in group B.

Morocco became the second African country, after Egypt to lose their opening game courtesy of late minute winners.

In group A, Russia is top with three points after routing Saudi Arabia five nil in the opening game whereas Iran are second.

African giants Egypt sit in third position above Saudi Arabia both without a point.

In group B, Iran are top of the group with three points, above Portugal and Spain who are second and third respectively.

African representative Morocco are at the bottom of their group.