Five things we learned: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
Records can be set even in games with nothing riding on them and VAR doesn't rid us of controversy every time. Five things we learned from Saudi Arabia's win over Egypt.
RECORDS CAN BE BROKEN ON THE MOST MODEST OF STAGES
This fixture might have been effectively a dead rubber, with both teams already facing elimination, but it didn't stop two records from falling.
Firstly was goalkeeper Essam Elhadary's presence on the team-sheet; at age 45, he became the oldest man to ever play in a match at the World Cup finals.
Soon after kick-off came Mohamed Salah's opening goal, running through and lobbing the 'keeper to make it 1-0 to Egypt.
In so doing, he netted the first open-play goal for his nation at the World Cup finals since 1934 - a long time to wait.
NOT FINISHING LAST IS A POWERFUL MOTIVATOR
Neither nation had won a single point heading into this fixture, and it was clear that neither wanted to end that way.
Saudi Arabia pushed on considerably after falling behind and both teams went for the win in the second half - but both were sadly lacking in final-third quality.
Even so, a final push earned the Asian side the points and again proved the value of attempting to attack.
EVEN VAR REVIEWS CAN'T RID US OF CONTROVERSY
Saudi Arabia's first penalty was a little contentious, with a cross striking the defender's hand just a short distance away.
It was saved, which had some thinking perhaps justice had been served...but just minutes later it was a second penalty which was even less clear-cut.
The fact that the VAR review took perhaps three or four minutes was indicative of the uncertain nature of the foul - a very minor 'shove' on the back - yet a penalty was awarded all the same.
That one was scored and there's no question Saudi Arabia benefited from, at best, questionable decision-making from the officials.
SALAH WITH SERVICE COULD HAVE SENT EGYPT THROUGH
Had he been fit for Egypt's World Cup opener against Uruguay, a match which was 0-0 until the final stages, there's no telling what might have happened for the African side.
Mohamed Salah proved in his next two matches that his goalscoring touch hasn't deserted him; two games from arguably only three real chances showcase how he is an elite talent playing amid a sea of mediocrity on the international stage.
He should have scored two against Saudi Arabia, granted, but with more service behind him he'd have gotten another chance or two and perhaps earned Egypt the win they craved.
ASIAN NATIONS OVER AFRICANS?
It's far from proof, but Saudi Arabia winning this match was a positive for those coming from the Asian qualifying section.
From the three World Cup groups in which Asian and African sides are together, the Asian nations have not been beaten once and look set to finish level or better on points in each case.
Saudi Arabia didn't look better than Egypt for long stretches, but they got the job done and the points on the board.