On a cool November night in Dubai, Uzbekistan pulled off one of the most surprising results of the year, defeating Egypt 2-0 in the semifinals of the Al Ain International Cup 2025Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The goals? Both came from Oston Urunovâa 25-year-old forward whose name may not yet be household across continents, but who now has the world watching. The match, played under the desert lights at 22:00 Tashkent time, ended any lingering doubts: Uzbekistan isnât just building for the 2026 FIFA World Cupâtheyâre ready to compete.
Urunovâs Masterclass Under the Spotlight
It took just four minutes for Urunov to announce his arrival. A quick one-two with midfielder Anzur Ismailov sent him sprinting past Egyptâs right-back, and with a low, driven finish past goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy, the scoreboard shifted. The goal wasnât flukyâit was precision. By the 43rd minute, heâd done it again. A counterattack, initiated by a blocked shot from Egyptâs Mostafa Mohamed, found Urunov in space. One touch. One shot. Goal. No celebration. Just a nod to his bench. The crowd, mostly local fans and expats, erupted. But the silence from Egyptâs bench told the real story.
For all their star powerâMohamed Salah includedâEgypt looked disjointed. Salah, wearing the captainâs armband, had moments: a darting run in the 12th minute, a curling free-kick in the 37th that just missed the post. But he was isolated. No support. No rhythm. The midfield trio of Osama Faisal, Marwan Osman, and Zizo failed to link play. When Osman was subbed off at 20 minutes for Ahmed Fatouh, the connection broke further. By halftime, Egypt had 11 shotsâfive on targetâbut none found the net. Thatâs not bad luck. Thatâs a defense that knew how to shut them down.
Egyptâs Defensive Blind Spots
Coach Hossam Hassan, 59, has guided Egypt through 17 matches since taking overâ11 wins, 4 draws. But this loss? It was his second in 21 months. And it came at the worst possible time. "We were not focused on the first goal," Hassan told Al-Ahram after the match. "And the defence was poor on the second. We gave them too much space in transition." Heâs right. Uzbekistanâs counter-pressing was relentless. Goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov made two critical stopsâone in the seventh minute, denying Salahâs pass to Marwan Osmanâand the backline, led by captain Murod Ismailov, held firm.
Egyptâs preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of NationsMorocco was supposed to be smooth. Group BâZimbabwe, South Africa, Angolaâlooks winnable. But this performance? Itâs a red flag. Salah wonât join the squad until after Liverpoolâs December 13 clash with Brighton. Thatâs three Premier League games missed. Three weeks of no training with the team. And now, a psychological blow.
Uzbekistanâs Quiet Rise
Ranked 55th by FIFAâ23 places below EgyptâUzbekistan entered this tournament as underdogs. But theyâve been quietly building. Their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign nearly got them to Qatar. Their 2023 Asian Cup run ended in the quarterfinals. And now? Theyâve beaten a team with Salah, with history, with continental prestige. This isnât a fluke. Itâs a statement.
Their coach, Mirjalol Qosimov, has emphasized discipline over flair. No flashy names. No superstars. Just a team that moves as one. Theyâve got midfielders who track back, defenders who cover, and forwards who press. Urunov isnât just a goal-scorerâheâs a workhorse. And against Egypt, he was the difference.
Whatâs Next? Iran Looms Large
Uzbekistan now faces Iran in the final on November 18 at Al-Maktoum Stadium. Iran, who crushed Cape Verde 4-1 in the other semifinal, are a different beastâphysical, experienced, and hungry after their 2-1 loss to Russia earlier in the week. But Uzbekistan wonât be intimidated. Theyâve already beaten the odds once.
Egypt, meanwhile, plays Cape Verde on November 17 for third place. Itâs a meaningless match on paper. But for Hassanâs squad, itâs a chance to rebuild confidence before heading to Morocco. The Africa Cup of Nations starts in just six weeks. And if Egyptâs defense looks like it did against Uzbekistan, their title hopes may evaporate before they even begin.
The Bigger Picture: International Windows Matter
This tournament, held during the November FIFA international window, was never meant to be a major competition. It was a rehearsal. A test. A chance to try new formations, assess young players, and build chemistry. And in that regard, it delivered. Uzbekistan proved they can compete with Africaâs giants. Egypt revealed cracks in their armor. Iran showed theyâre still a force. And Cape Verde? Theyâre not just minnowsâtheyâre dangerous.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup isnât just about qualification. Itâs about proving you belong. Uzbekistan just did that. Egypt? They still have time to fix things. But time is running out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Oston Urunov manage to score twice against Egyptâs defense?
Urunov capitalized on Egyptâs high defensive line and slow transitions. His first goal came from a quick counter after a misplaced pass, and his second was a result of Uzbekistanâs relentless pressing that forced errors in Egyptâs midfield. He was unmarked in both instances, exposing gaps in Egyptâs backline that Salah couldnât compensate for alone.
Why is Mohamed Salah missing early Egypt matches for AFCON 2025?
Salah wonât join Egyptâs squad until after Liverpoolâs Premier League match against Brighton on December 13, 2025. This means heâll miss at least three training camps and two warm-up friendlies before the Africa Cup of Nations begins on December 21. His late arrival could disrupt team cohesion just as the tournament starts.
What does Uzbekistanâs win mean for their World Cup 2026 chances?
The victory over Egypt boosts Uzbekistanâs confidence ahead of their AFC qualifiers. Though theyâre not yet in the top tier of Asian football, this win proves they can beat established African sides. Their tactical discipline and depth could make them dark horses in the final round of qualifiers, especially if they maintain this level against stronger opponents like Japan or South Korea.
Is the Al Ain International Cup considered a serious tournament?
No, itâs a friendly tournament designed for preparation during the FIFA window. But its value lies in the matchups: Egypt faced a disciplined Asian side, Iran tested their resilience after a loss to Russia, and Uzbekistan proved theyâre more than just a regional side. For teams preparing for AFCON or World Cup qualifiers, these games are vital for testing systems under pressure.
How did the venue and timing affect the match?
Played at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain at 22:00 Tashkent time (UTC+5), the late kick-off favored Uzbekistan, whose players are accustomed to evening matches. Egyptâs squad, mostly based in Europe, faced jet lag and disrupted routines. The timing, though unusual, gave Uzbekistan a subtle edge in rhythm and recovery.
Whatâs the significance of Iran advancing to the final?
Iranâs 4-1 win over Cape Verde and their 2-1 loss to Russia earlier in the week show theyâre still adjusting after losing key players to retirement. Facing Uzbekistan in the final gives them a chance to test their new midfield combinations against a team that plays with structure. A win would signal Iranâs return to top form ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Andy Persaud
November 16, 2025 AT 15:23Urunov who? đŽ
ANGEL ROBINSON
November 18, 2025 AT 13:52This isn't just about one player or one match-it's about the quiet evolution of football beyond the usual powerhouses. Uzbekistan didn't get lucky. They built a system. No superstar needed. Just discipline, timing, and collective will. Egypt had Salah, sure-but football isn't about one man carrying a team that doesn't move as one. This win is a blueprint for how smaller nations can compete: structure over star power. The world needs more of this.
Deborah Canavan
November 19, 2025 AT 16:32Itâs kind of fascinating how these international friendlies end up revealing so much more than anyone expects. I mean, I didnât even know Uzbekistan had a team this cohesive until tonight. And Egypt? Iâve watched them for years-Salahâs magic is undeniable, but the midfield just⊠evaporates sometimes. Itâs like they forget how to pass the ball when theyâre not in a 4-2-3-1. The timing of the match, too-22:00 Tashkent time-felt like a sneaky advantage. European-based players were probably still digesting their dinner while the Uzbeks were already in their rhythm. I wonder if this was intentional by the organizers or just a coincidence. Either way, it worked.
Ravi Kumar
November 20, 2025 AT 23:35Bro. Oston Urunov just turned into a desi superhero. I mean, one guy, no fanfare, no hype, no Instagram reels-just pure, cold-blooded efficiency. Egyptâs defense looked like a group of guys trying to remember their exâs birthday. And Salah? Dude looked like he was playing against a wall. This isnât just a win-itâs a cultural reset. Asiaâs not waiting for Europeâs permission anymore. Weâre building our own legends. Urunov? Heâs the new Dhoni. Quiet. Deadly. Unstoppable. And nobody saw it coming. Respect.
rashmi kothalikar
November 22, 2025 AT 03:19How dare Egypt lose to a team that doesnât even have a real football culture? This is why we need to stop letting these underdogs play in real tournaments. They donât deserve it. Salah is the greatest ever and they still lost? Thatâs not football, thatâs betrayal. Uzbekistan doesnât even have a proper stadium in Tashkent. How did this happen? This is the end of African football pride. Shame on them.
Thomas Rosser
November 23, 2025 AT 09:06Did you know the Al Ain Cup was secretly funded by the UAE to distract from their human rights record? đ€« And Urunov? Heâs probably a CIA asset trained in Uzbekistanâs underground football academy. The timing of this win? Coincidence? Nah. Egyptâs defense collapsed exactly 37 minutes after the match started-right after the third commercial break. Someoneâs manipulating the flow of the game. Also, Salahâs free kick missed the post because the ball was laced with anti-Arab nanobots. Iâve seen the footage. Zoom in. đ
Kerry Keane
November 24, 2025 AT 10:13uzaqistan played hard. no flukes. defense was locked. egypt looked lost. salah was lonely. good job coach. proud.
Elliott martin
November 25, 2025 AT 16:31why did the egyptian midfield just stop moving after the first goal? was it fatigue or did they give up? also why was the second goal so easy? they just left urunov wide open like he was invisible
Shelby Hale
November 27, 2025 AT 09:36Oh wow. The underdogs won. Shocking. Iâm sure the FIFA brass are having a collective aneurysm right now. The world is falling apart. First, a 25-year-old nobody scores twice against the most famous African player alive⊠and now weâre supposed to believe this isnât scripted? Next thing you know, the Mongols will win the World Cup using only yurts as tactical formations. đ
Jeffrey Frey
November 28, 2025 AT 06:55Uzbekistan didnât win. They stole it. Egypt was exhausted from being forced to play at 10pm. The ref was biased. The ball was weighted. Urunovâs first goal? Offside by 3 feet. You think the cameras didnât catch it? Nah, they buried it. This is why I donât trust modern football. They want to erase legacy. Salahâs legacy. This isnât sport-itâs a corporate reset. đ€
Jeremy Ramsey
November 29, 2025 AT 22:14Man, I love when the underdogs show up. Uzbekistan? Didnât even know they had a team this good. But now Iâm obsessed. That counterpressing? Chefâs kiss. And Urunov? He didnât even celebrate. Just nodded like, âYeah, I knew Iâd score.â Respect. Meanwhile, Salah looked like he was trying to win the match by sheer willpower. Poor guy. But hey-this is why we watch. Real football. No filters.
Henry Huynh
December 1, 2025 AT 01:35uzaqistan won? cool i guess. egypt looked tired. salah looked bored. anyway im gonna sleep
Don McBrien
December 2, 2025 AT 11:54This is why I love football. No ego. No flash. Just pure grit. Uzbekistan didnât have a single player with 10 million followers-but they had heart. And thatâs what wins games. Egypt had everything⊠except unity. This win isnât just about football. Itâs about proving that hard work beats hype. Keep going, Uzbekistan. Youâre making us all believe again.
Ed Thompson
December 2, 2025 AT 19:46Bro this is the ultimate grind mode. No superstars. No marketing deals. Just a team that trains at 5am, eats lentils, and runs until their lungs scream. Uzbekistan didnât just beat Egypt-they redefined what âunderdogâ means. This is the new blueprint for every small nation out there: discipline > talent. Work > fame. And Urunov? Heâs the embodiment of the 2026 World Cup ethos. No hype. Just results. đ„
Sara Reese
December 4, 2025 AT 09:41Everyoneâs acting like this was some kind of miracle. But letâs be real-Egyptâs entire squad is on the decline. Theyâre clinging to Salahâs legacy like a security blanket. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan? Theyâre playing the future. And now weâre supposed to pretend this is a fair result? The system is rigged. The media is biased. The world doesnât want to see Asia rise. But itâs happening anyway. đ
Richie Cristim
December 5, 2025 AT 13:03why did egypt keep playing the same formation after the first goal? they had 11 shots but no rhythm. urunov just walked in like he owned the box
Lindy Loo
December 6, 2025 AT 01:55Thereâs something beautiful about this match. Not because it was flashy or loud-but because it was honest. Uzbekistan didnât need a parade. They didnât need a viral clip. They just showed up, did their job, and left. Egypt had the star. But football isnât about who you know. Itâs about who you are when no oneâs watching. And tonight, Uzbekistan was more than a team. They were a statement. A quiet, unshakable one. And honestly? We needed that.