Egypt vice-captain and right back Ahmed Fathi remains optimistic of his team's chances to qualify for the World Cup round of 16 despite 1-0 loss to Uruguay in their opening clash on Friday.
"I am optimistic that we will reach the second round. We played a good game but we lost at the end. It was from a set piece and they grabbed a very late winner," Fathi told beIN Sports after the game.
Fathi was one of Egypt's best performers in Yekaterinburg, making some timely tackles down the flank as Egypt produced a solid defensive display on their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
The Pharaohs were undone by a 90th-minute header from defender Jose Gimenez though.
"We have two tough games and I believe we will win them and qualify for the next round," the 33-year-old defender concluded.
Egypt will play Russia on Tuesday before facing Saudi Arabia in their final group-stage game on 25 June.
Russia are top of the group after hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the World Cup opener.
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