Russia moved to the verge of meeting all requirements for the last 16 of the World Cup after the host country beat Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in St Petersburg.

Russia, who defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their opening match, led the pack on account of a strange 47th-minute own-goal from Ahmed Fathi, who redirected Roman Zobnin’s shot into his own net.

Denis Cheryshev multiplied Russia’s lead after he completed from Mario Fernandes’ pull-back, before Artem Dzyuba fixed the triumph with a fine individual goal.

Liverpool forward Salah, playing for the first time since the shoulder damage in the Champions League final, converted a penalty after he had been fouled – however it was insufficient to mount an Egypt fightback.

Russia will fit the bill for the last 16 and Egypt will be knocked-out from the opposition if Saudi Arabia fails to beat Uruguay in Rostov-on-Don on Wednesday.