Despite a heart-wrenching last-gasp loss to Uruguay in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, Egyptians are optimistic about their chances after nearly forcing a draw without talismanic forward Mohamed Salah.

This is probably the last chance our eyes will have to feast upon the beauty that is Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta at the most prestigious of international tournaments – the FIFA World Cup. He has often been compared to a ballerina skating on ice. He zooms past defenders like they were not even there and his control on the ball is magnetic. There is grit and steel in his character that is often overlooked due to his calm demeanour.

Close. So close. But in the end Uruguay did manage to break the deadlock. Egypt goalkeeper El-Shenawy thought in the absence of star man Mohamed Salah, he would take his country through the key Group A encounter safely.

Uruguay defender Diego Godin believes that star striker Luis Suarez was treated unfairly following his tussle with Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Egypt named a starting lineup without striker Mohamed Salah for their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday, a day after coach Hector Cuper had said he was nearly 100 percent certain to play.

If Salah does not play a part in this game, Egypt will be considerable less threatening and that can only mean that Uruguay will have the opportunity to establish authority over Hector Cooper's team. Lets take a look at the expected starting lineups and how the teams usually play ahead of the key Group A clash.

Less than three years before striking a brace in the World Cup opener, Russian forward Denis Cheryshev saw an ill-fated end to a budding Real Madrid career.

Apart from the large home contingent, other spectators from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina tapped into the air of celebration and festivity as they waved their respective flags and sang their own songs whenever Russia found the back of Saudi Arabia net. Football’s unifying spirit was alive and roaring at the Luzhniki.

It will not be easy after running out 5-0 winners in the World Cup opener after years of doubts and setbacks, but Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov wants his Russia side to forget Thursday's win over Saudi Arabia.

The French will embark on their World Cup campaign with a tough encounter against a resolute Australian side. Although the Aussies

Key players

Egypt coach Hector Cuper said that star striker Mohamed Salah has recovered from his shoulder injury and will almost certainly play in their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday.

The Luzhniki Stadium morphed into a kaleidoscope of colours a few hours before the opening World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. It was as if all roads led to the stadium of light before the start of the biggest show on Earth.

With Spain unbeaten in 20 games and Portugal having lost one competitive match since September 2014, Friday's clash in Sochi appeared to be a case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object -- at least until Wednesday.

Spain's decision to sack coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup will have little impact on the quality of the 2010 world champions' game, Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said on Thursday.

A member of parliament has said Russian women should not have “intimate relations” with foreigners during the World Cup and warned against biracial babies.

The mood was buoyant and politics was left on the touchline as thousands of Russian and foreign fans turned out to watch Thursday's World Cup opener between Russia and Saudi Arabia in a Moscow fan zone.

The festive Gazprom Football for Friendship Children's Championship, which saw budding footballers under the age of 12 from 211 countries participate, came to an end as the FIFA World Cup got underway through the opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium yesterday.

Finally let loose after a year-long diet of international friendlies, hosts Russia roar their World Cup intent to the rafters with a 5-0 tournament-opening win over Saudi Arabia.

The 2018 World Cup saw its first goal as Russia’s uri Gazinsky directs a header behind the reach of Saudi Arabia goalkeeper A-Mayoof.