Seconds after winning a free-kick in a dangerous position with minutes remaining in Friday's clash against Egypt, Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez was the hero, soaring to head Carlos Sanchez's cross beyond a helpless Mohamed El Shenawy.
The Atletico Madrid centre-half's 89th-minute winner was the lone goal in a tilt between the two favourites to escape from Group A. Gimenez rose to beat club teammate Diego Godin to the ball, besting a trio of Egyptian defenders who leaped to stymie Sanchez's cross.
It was the 23-year-old's sixth international goal in his 43rd appearance.
And it was heartbreak for The Pharaohs after Hector Cuper's side put forth a strong performance sans talisman Mohamed Salah, who didn't play despite the gaffer's optimism that he'd be fit to face the two-time World Cup winner.
After an opening stanza that narrowly favoured a resourceful Egypt side, Luis Suarez was afforded a pair of solid opportunities that El Shenawy snuffed out. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, Uruguay began to turn the screw, throwing men forward as the Egyptians appeared laboured.
That nearly paid off minutes later, when Edinson Cavani shook the far post with a thumping free-kick that fell into the path of several Uruguay players only for Egypt substitute Sam Morsy to hoof a clearance beyond the halfway line.
Friday's victory was the first time Uruguay won a World Cup opener since 1970, and with fixtures against Russia and Saudi Arabia on the slate, progression to the last 16 appears a straightforward ask for Oscar Tabarez's charges.
