Group A was mostly predictable. Uruguay dominated and the hosts Russia made their nation proud in their two wins over Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The first group of the World Cup featured a host nation with a point to prove, a South American mini giant, and two outsiders looking to make their nations proud. Uruguay dominated Group A and became just the fourth team in World Cup history to get nine points without conceding a goal.
Russia’s two wins were dominant and enough to put the hosts in the Round of 16. Saudi Arabia and Egypt were quickly axed from the tournament after losing their first two games. The Green Eagles received the better ending by beating Egypt 2-1 on a 95th-minute stoppage-time winner from Salem Al-Dawsari. The group itself was not enthralling but here is the best of Group A.
GROUP A final standings:
— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) June 25, 2018
1- 🇺🇾 Uruguay (Q) 9 points
2- 🇷🇺 Russia (Q) 6 points
3- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 3 points
4- 🇪🇬 Egypt 0 points pic.twitter.com/u2dIpUsGq5
Best Game – Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia
The opening game of the tournament was drawn in December and was treated with groans for six months. Russia and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest ranked teams at the World Cup and the game was actually watchable. Russia just steamrolled Saudi Arabia and gave the hosts and the world a great introduction to the tournament we love so much.
Best Player – Diego Godin
The centerback pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez is the best in the world. The two helped Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera to three clean sheets in three games. Godin played all three games in the group stage while Gimenez missed the Russia match due to a thigh injury. Godin was a brick wall and had an average rating of 7.57 in the group stage.
Diego Godín for #URU in the World Cup group stages:
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 25, 2018
• Most clearances (12)
• Most tackles won (8)
• =Most aerial duels won (8)
God-like defending. 👊 pic.twitter.com/cPwhd62Ceo
Best Moment – 45-year-old El-Hadary saves a penalty
Egypt’s World Cup was super disappointing and not the exit Mo Salah deserved after the season he had for Liverpool. However, Egypt had the best moment of the group stage when their 45-year old goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia. El-Hadary became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup match and gives Egypt a moment they will remember forever.
Essam El-Hadary makes a fantastic save for #EGY! #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/t3iLTdNWzS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 25, 2018
Best Goal of Group A – Denis Cheryshev’s second vs. KSA
When Alan Dzagoev got injured and Denis Cheryshev was brought on, most of us thought Russia was doomed. The exact opposite occurred. Cheryshev has been Russia’s best player and this outside of the boot curling strike stamped the opening match as a rout.