'Sisi's gonna lock them up': Egyptians dismayed as Pharaohs flop at World Cup

Egyptian football fans expressed dismay on social media on Tuesday as the national team slumped to their second successive defeat at the World Cup in Russia, effectively ending the Pharaohs' hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the tournament.

Egyptian talisman and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah returned to the pitch for the first time since injuring his shoulder in last month’s Champions League final, but his second-half penalty counted for little in a 3-1 defeat by the hosts in St Petersburg.

Some voiced concerns for the safety of the squad on their return home, while other commentators used the game to highlight human rights concerns in the country under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Others drew attention to the ongoing diplomatic rift between Qatar and a quartet of Arab states including Egypt. Qatar is set to host the next World Cup finals in 2022, the first time the Arab world has staged the event.

Others blamed Argentine coach Hector Cuper for the team’s performances, accusing him of "taking the soul" out of Egyptian football.

Disheartened fans, some of whom had spent life savings travelling to the tournament, began selling their tickets to Egypt's final game, a "Red Sea derby" against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd next week.

But some Egyptians took solace in the result from the fact that Sisi, who came to power through a military coup in 2013, would be "upset" by the result.

Following a 1-0 defeat by Uruguay in their opening game, Egypt's hopes of extending their first appearance in the finals since 1990 briefly rested on Saudi Arabia beating the South American side.

However, on Wednesday the Saudis lost 1-0 to Uruguay, condemning Egypt and Saudi Arabia to the ignominy of being knocked out at the first hurdle.

The two sides will now meet on Monday in a game in which only bragging rights will be up for grabs.

Saudi Arabia were beaten 5-0 by Russia in their first match, and their second defeat leaves the four Arab qualifiers winless in seven games.

Morocco earlier on Wednesday were beaten 1-0 by Portugal, following a 1-0 defeat by Iran in their first game. Spain's later victory over Iran confirmed Morocco's elimination from the competition with one match, against the Spanish, still to play. 

Tunisia were beaten 2-1 by England in their opening game on Monday. Their second match, against Belgium, is on Saturday.