Liverpool star was an unused substitute during his nation's tournament curtain-raiser through injury and was left on the brink of tears after a late Uruguay rally downed brave Pharaohs
MOHAMED SALAH was left utterly heartbroken as he could only watch on from the bench as Uruguay scored a last-minute winner against Egypt.
The Liverpool star, 26, was an unused substitute on the day and was left on the brink of tears after a late Jose Giminez strike downed the brave Pharaohs.
Salah was deemed not fit enough to risk in Egypt's opener through injury - with Uruguay scoring moments after the African side had made their final sub.
Egypt star Salah has been out of action since trudging off during Liverpool's 3-1 Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid with a shoulder injury.
And he was seen visibly wincing after being tapped on the damaged arm by a team-mate in the tunnel prior to kick-off in Yekaterinburg.
The stage had looked set for Salah to continue his simply phenomenal form for the Reds in 2017-18 with the score tantalisingly poised at 0-0.
Egypt had looked very much in the game against favourites Uruguay - but boss Hector Cuper opted to bring on Ramadan Sobhi in the 82nd-minute with his final change of the game.
That left Salah stuck on the bench... and the look on his face when Giminez powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net said it all.
It remains to be seen if the Liverpool ace will be fit for Egypt's final two group games.
Next up for the Pharaohs are hosts Russia, before a clash with Saudi Arabia - both winnable games for the African outfit.
