Jose Gimenez's late header helps Uruguay beat Egypt 1-0

Two-time winners Uruguay defeated Egypt 1-0 in their opening Group A game of the FIFA World Cup here at the Ekaterinburg Arena on Friday.

However, before this win, Uruguay had failed to win any of their opening games at the last six World Cups they played in, while Egypt's two previous opening games were also winless.

Jose Gimenez scored the winning goal for Uruguay with a brilliant header in 89th minute of the match.

Egypt suffered a major blow as their talismanic striker Mohamed Salah was not included in starting line-up following his shoulder injury.

Salah sustained a shoulder injury during his club Liverpool's 1-3 defeat to Real Madrid in the finals of the Champions League last month.

The Uruguay, who were competing in their 13th World Cup, had not won their opening game at a World Cup since 1970.

Uruguay appeared in their third consecutive World Cup, having also made an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2010 World Cup, while the Egyptians featured in their first World Cup match since 1990.

On a related note, Egypt will face Russia in Saint Petersburg on June 19 while Uruguay will take on Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don on June 20.