Russia & Egypt Match at World Cup Could Test Countries’ Close Ties – Urban Christian News

Not since the Cold War days of the 1950s and 1960s has Egypt been as close to Russia as it is now.

But could the outcome of a crucial World Cup clash between the two nations damage their relations?

Probably not, but as is frequently the case with soccer, Tuesday’s game in St. Petersburg — home to most of the 224 victims of a 2015 Russian plane crash over Egypt — might test these ties given how high the stakes are.

For Egypt, a draw or a win is crucial to keep alive its hopes of advancing from the group after it lost its opening match 1-0 to Uruguay on Friday. A loss would leave the Egyptians with a mathematical chance of survival.

The Russians are in better shape. They thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday and will be looking for maximum points from the Egypt game, which could ensure progression before their final group game against Uruguay on June 25.

The Russians, the lowest FIFA ranked team in the 32-nation tournament, will be riding high from being on home territory and will want to prove that their emphatic win over the Saudis wasn’t a fluke. The Egyptians, on the other hand, will be striving not to lose two consecutive games in their first World Cup campaign in 28 years and disappoint millions of fans at home.

Thousands of Egyptian fans, some flying to St. Petersburg on private jets, are expected to be at the stadium Tuesday rubbing shoulders with Russian fans.

But Egypt’s social media users and influential talk show anchors are notorious for harming their country’s relations with foreign nations, including close allies and major economic benefactors. Their…