Russia on brink of next stage

Russia’s place in the knock-out stages will be secured on Wednesday if Uruguay avoids defeat against Saudi Arabia in the next Group ‘A’ game.

Ahmed Fathi put the ball into his own net two minutes after half time, followed by two goals in a three-minute spell from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba around the hour mark as Russia took their tournament goal tally to eight in two games.

Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah, playing for the first time since injuring his shoulder in last month’s Champions League final, pulled one back from a 73rd minute penalty, awarded after a review by the Video Assistant Referee.