Egypt edge Russia in World Cup warm-up

 (Reuters) - Egypt began their World Cup preparations with a ​1-0 home win over Russia ‌on Thursday but talisman Mohamed Salah was rested for the friendly ​clash in Cairo.

Mostafa Ziko’s 65th-minute ​header proved the difference for ⁠Egypt, who had Omar Marmoush ​in the starting line-up plus ​marked the return of Ligue 1 centre back Mohamed Abdelmoneim after long-term injury ​and made 10 changes ​during the match.

Salah, who joined up with ‌his ⁠teammates on Wednesday after a tearful end to his Liverpool career at the weekend, was ​always likely ​to ⁠miss the clash.

Egypt have a friendly against Brazil ​in Cleveland to come on ​June ⁠6 before they begin their World Cup Group G campaign ⁠against ​Belgium in Seattle ​on June 15.