Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the World Cup Group A clash between Russia and Egypt in Saint Petersburg. This is the start of the second round of group matches, the moment where things get really serious. A defeat tonight for Russia or particularly Egypt would leave them in serious danger of going out of the tournament.

World Cup / Group Stage

Gazprom Arena / 19.06.2018

Russia

Completed

Egypt

A. Fathy(47' O.G)
D. Cheryshev(59')
A. Dzyuba(62')

M. Salah(73' PEN)

Live

Live Updates

ByKevin Coulson

Updated 19/06/2018 at 19:50 GMT

37'

Russia have regressed a little after that promising start, though they still look dangerous when they dump crosses towards Dzyuba.

35'

Faith's deep cross is headed wide by Mohsen beyond the far post. It was a difficult chance, because the cross was just in front of him and so he couldn't get around the ball.

34'

Fine defending from Zhirkov! Abdelshafy's outside-of-the-foot cross from the left was headed on by Mohsen towards Salah, who was about to pounce at the far post when Zhirkov booted the ball behind for a corner.

33'

Egypt keep possession for a couple of minutes. They have had more of the ball in this half, though Russia seem happy to play like the away side.

30'

Though Egypt are the ones who need a win, I think they would take a 0-0 scoreline at half-time. The longer the game stays level, the more nervous Russia will get. What Egypt don't want to do is commit too early and be 2-0 down after an hour.

28'

Salah's performance so far has been promising - no more or less than that. Even at such a modest level of performance, he looks the most dangerous attacker on the pitch.

26'

A Cheryshev cross leads to a bit of head tennis in the area before Elshenawy claims the ball. Egypt do look vulnerable on crosses.

25'

Salah does well to make space and find Trezeguet, whose 25-yard shot is blocked.

23'

Gazinskii's left-wing cross just clears the head of the big striker Dzyuba. Egypt have a history of weakness on crosses that Russia are trying to exploit at every opportunity.

22'

Salah receives his first heavy tackle, from Zhirkov, but bounces to his feet. Salah is starting to look much livelier.

19'

A good effort from Cheryshev, who pings long-range shot just over the bar. I think Elshenawy had it covered but it was beautifully struck.

16'

GOOD EFFORT! Trezeguet almost gives Egypt the lead. He broke into the box from the left and shaped a lovely curler that drifted a couple of yards wide of the far post.

16'

In fact Mohsen's header took a deflection off a header, so Egypt win a second corner. Nothing comes of it but this is much better from the away side.

15'

An improving Egypt win their first corner down the left. El-Said swings it towards the near post, where Mohsen flashes a header just wide. That was a good effort under a lot of pressure.

13'

Salah is starting to see a bit more of the ball. He plays a nice one-two with El-Said and scurries into the box before being dispossessed.

11'

Russia continue to look much the more threatening side. Samedov's cross is brought down by Dzyuba, but his touch is slightly too heavy and Elshenawy claims.

Mohsen heads behind for another corner. Russia have started this match excellently. The corner is played short to Zhirkov, who overhits his cross.

I'm not sure Salah has touched the ball yet.

Russia look very lively on the counter-attack. Golovin nicks possession 30 yards from goal, runs to the edge of the area and drags a low shot just wide of the far post. I think Elshenawy had it covered.

Zobnin's shot deflects behind for the first corner...

It poured down for a couple of hours in Saint Petersburg earlier today, though it is dry now. The pitch looks pretty slick.

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