Fansided

One reason every team at the World Cup can win

By Ty Finch

MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on March 17, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Egypt: Mohamed Salah

You may have heard of this guy, playing in the Premier League and leading it in scoring for his new club. He scored the goal to send Egypt through to the World Cup for the first time since 1990, only the third time in their history that they’ve done so. His name?

“Mo Salah, Mo Salah

Running down the wing

Salah la la la la la la la

Egyptian King” (link)

Salah has (at the time of writing) 28 goals in his first season with Liverpool and has been the league’s best signing by a long shot. His close control and ability to get a shot away from almost any position makes him lethal in the final third and a terror for opposing defenses. It would be more surprising to see him struggle in the World Cup than it would to see him be one of the best players throughout.

Egypt aren’t solely made up of Mohamed Salah, however. They boast talents like Mohamed Elneny, an Arsenal midfielder who can control a match in the middle of the pitch with his precision passing and intelligent movement. He’ll be key when it comes down to Egypt controlling a match they need to kill off, or launching a counter-attack to Salah.

The Pharaohs also have composed, veteran presences in their defense that will certainly help them fight for results. Keeper Essam El Hadary and defender Ahmed Fathy have over 120 caps each, and co-captain the side.

Just as Egypt did in qualifying, they’ll rely heavily on Salah. Given he’s one of the best players in the world, there are worse strategies to have.

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