Soccer Football - World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Egypt - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 19, 2018 Egypt's Mohamed Salah looks dejected REUTERS/Lee Smith
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Egypt's World Cup hopes were left in tatters after a disastrous spell at the start of the second half in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to hosts Russia but Mohamed Salah's absence in the build-up to the tournament also played its part, coach Hector Cuper said.
Egypt's talisman scored a consolation penalty as he started his first World Cup game in Group A after recovering from the injury suffered in last month's Champions League final but made little other impact in a match his side needed to win.
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