FIFA World Cup 2018: Who is Jose Gimenez, Uruguay’s goal-scorer against Egypt

Uruguay became the second team in the FIFA World Cup 2018 to register a win after they beat Iran 1-0 in Ekaterinburg on Friday. With the win the South American team joined Russia at the top of Group A on three points after their opening match.

The only goal of the game came in the penultimate minute of the normal time when defender Jose Gimenez popped up from a free kick to head in what turned out to be the winning goal. Uruguay should have been home and dry well before that as their two star strikers Edinson Cavani and especially Luis Suarez had chances to put the match to bed well before they did. Suarez could and probably should have a hattrick in the match.

Not only did the 23-year-old score the goal that gave his team the win, the defender was imperious at the back along with his Atletico Madrid partner Diego Godin. The two along with the goalkeeper and other defenders kept the Egypt attack at bay on a number of occasions.

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Gimenez has been in outstanding form for his club all throughout the season and was part of the meanest defence in La Liga with Atletico Madrid having conceded just 22 goals in their 38 games. The former Danubio defender also went on to lift the Europa League trophy with the side from the Spanish capital.

Not only for his club, the Toledo born has been a rock for Uruguay since making his debut in 2013. He made his debut against Colombia in a World Cup qualifier after many of the senior players were injured and his performance in that match was impeccable. Especially how he handled Radamel falcao. The fact that he wore Diego Lugano’s jersey, who was suspended in that match only shows how he is viewed back in his homeland.