Uruguay were far from their best throughout at the Ekeratinburg Arena and it looked as though a series of wasted chances from record-scorer Luis Suarez would prove costly for the Group A favourites.
However, Gimenez’s towering late header – which came just moments after Edinson Cavani had hit the post with a free kick – rescued all three points for the South Americans to take them level with hosts Russia at the top of the standings.
The most anticipated team news of the opening round of World Cup fixtures saw Salah only named on the Egypt bench three weeks after damaging his shoulder for Liverpool in the Champions League final, and he stayed there throughout as manager Hector Cuper chose not to risk him.
The Pharaohs fared well without their star player as Uruguay struggled to get into any sort of rhythm in the first half, although they did register the first shot on target after eight minutes when Cavani cut inside before firing a tame low strike into the arms of Mohamed El Shenawy.