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Aston Villa: Ahmed Elmohamady, Egypt eliminated from FIFA World Cup

By Josh Tonti

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 27: #3 Ahmed Elmohamady of Egypt looks on during the International Friendly between Egypt and Greece at the Letzigrund Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 27: #3 Ahmed Elmohamady of Egypt looks on during the International Friendly between Egypt and Greece at the Letzigrund Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa right back / winger Ahmed Elmohamady was an unused substitute as the Pharaohs of Egypt suffered defeat at the hands of Russia.

After two rounds of matches in FIFA World Cup Group A action, the two advancing nations have been decided. Uruguay and Russia progressed to the knockout stages; their future match-up deciding who wins Group A. Russia will take the runner-up in Group B with a win or draw, while Uruguay needs a win to finish first in the group.

For Aston Villa’s Ahmed Elmohamady, it was a short and unglamorous summer in Russia. Elmo was an unused substitute in both of Egypt’s first 2 World Cup matches. A Mohamed Salah-less Egyptian side suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Uruguay after Atlético Madrid’s José Maria Giménez headed in the winner with minutes to spare. Liverpool’s Salah returned to the starting XI days later, but Russia came out storming in the second-half, scoring three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory.

With zero points through 2 matches, Egypt has been eliminated alongside Saudi Arabia in Group A. Not much remains in play for the Pharaohs aside from pride. A final match against Saudi Arabia offers the chance to freshen-up the starting XI for some others to make lasting World Cup appearances. Perhaps Elmohamady features, perhaps he does not. Either way, he will forever get to say he was a major part of an Egypt side that was the first to qualify for a FIFA World Cup in 28 years.

Other Aston Villa World Cup Notes:

Idrissa Gana Gueye started for Senegal as the West African nation beat Poland 2-1 in Group H. They are in decent shape to progress to the knockout stages.

ICYMI: Birkir Bjarnason went the full 90 minutes as he and the men of Iceland shut down Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuaín, and others.

Mile Jedinak skippered Australia to a near shock upset of France. Jedinak scored a penalty to equalize the score at 1-1 halfway through the second-half. Paul Pogba’s wildly deflected shot gave France all 3 points in the end.

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