The 2018 World Cup in Russia promised a lot for Hector Cuper’s Egypt side. On the face of it, they’d been drawn in a relatively straightforward group which comprised host nation Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
That factor, coupled with the fact the North Africans’ top player Mohamed Salah was set to feature at the showpiece on the backend of arguably the greatest individual season in Premier League history, was seemingly to the Pharaohs' benefit.
In his maiden campaign at Liverpool, the wideman scored a staggering 32 goals in the league – the highest for a 38 game season – and was deservedly named PFA Players’ Player of the Year.