Luis Suarez focus: Barcelona striker left frustrated as Uruguay secure late win
The Barcelona striker was unable to find the net despite having more chances than anyone else.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez endured a frustrating World Cup opener against a Mohamed Salah-less Egypt.
The Barcelona forward had more chances than anyone on the pitch, but looked distinctly off form and it took a late goal from Jose Gimenez to clinch a 1-0 victory for the South Americans.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at the performance of Suarez.
Goal threat
It took 14 minutes for Suarez to have his first shot but uncharacteristically he bundled it well wide. Worse was to follow 10 minutes later when, from a corner, he hammered a shot on the turn into the side-netting from five yards, before later drilling a 30-yard free-kick straight at the wall. The second half began more promisingly as he forced a good save out of goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy within seconds of the restart. Late on he was slipped in by Edinson Cavani but the goalkeeper pinched it off his toes as he tried to round him.
Influence
He dropped deep to help create his first chance in the 14th minute but overall looked a shadow of the player which has terrorised defences in England and Spain. Usually Suarez manages to make something happen through sheer determination but lacked that spark. His partnership with Cavani never really hit it off until the last 10 minutes, when he teed up his fellow striker for a volley which produced a good save from El Shenawy.
Attitude
A disappointing opening 30 minutes saw Suarez become visibly frustrated, more with himself than anyone else. He could have gone down when put through by Cavani with 17 minutes to go but evaded the lunging tackle only for goalkeeper El Shenawy to snatch ball off his toes, leading to more turf-punching. Was involved in a late booking for Ahmed Hegazy when he went down theatrically under the challenge.
Overall
Suarez looked well short of his best against an organised but limited Egypt side. However, he will get a chance to sharpen up next time out against Saudi Arabia, who shipped five goals against Russia. On the plus side he did not allow his frustration to get the better of him.
