Belgium Escapes Egypt’s Upset Bid with Own Goal in 1-1 World Cup Draw

In a gripping encounter at Seattle Stadium, Belgium salvaged a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening Group G match of the 2026 World Cup on Monday. The game saw Romelu Lukaku make an immediate impact, forcing an own goal just seconds after entering the pitch, preventing Egypt from securing their first victory in their fourth World Cup appearance.

Early Dominance by Egypt

Egypt took the lead in the 19th minute, thanks to midfielder Emam Ashour, who scored his first international goal. Ashour unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards that found the lower left corner of the net, beating Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. This goal came after a well-placed pass from Mohamed Salah, who was playing centrally on his 34th birthday. Salah’s initial efforts drew a yellow card from Belgium, setting the stage for Ashour’s strike.

Courtois later showcased his skills with a diving save against Mostafa Zico’s shot in the 33rd minute. Egypt managed to put both of their first-half attempts on target, while Belgium struggled to challenge goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir, failing to register a single shot on goal from eight attempts.

Belgium’s Second-Half Surge

The second half saw a shift in momentum as Belgium began to apply more pressure. Salah nearly doubled Egypt’s lead with a header in the 55th minute, but Courtois was again up to the task. Omar Marmoush also threatened with a shot that was deflected wide, as Egypt mounted several dangerous counterattacks.

Belgium’s strategy changed with the introduction of Lukaku in the 66th minute. Just 23 seconds later, the Napoli striker capitalized on a cross from Thomas Meunier, splitting two defenders and forcing an own goal from Mohamed Hany, leveling the match at 1-1.

Tactical Adjustments and Substitutions

Lukaku’s swift impact was crucial, especially considering his limited appearances for Napoli this season due to injuries. Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans acknowledged Lukaku’s role as a target man, emphasizing the importance of his fitness as the tournament progresses.

Salah’s performance was cut short when he was substituted in the 76th minute. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, noted the need for substitutions due to the heat and match circumstances, despite Salah’s strong showing. Hassan expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating they had opportunities to secure a win after Belgium’s equalizer.

Match Conditions and Final Attempts

With temperatures around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, fatigue affected both teams, leading to a total of only six shots on target throughout the match. Belgium’s Brandon Mechele had a final chance in extra time, but his attempt sailed over the bar.

Belgium’s coach, Rudi Garcia, reflected on the challenges of opening matches in the World Cup, particularly against a strong Egyptian side. He acknowledged the significance of staying competitive and praised the squad’s depth, highlighting the contributions of players coming off the bench.

Looking Ahead

Egypt’s next challenge will be against New Zealand in Vancouver on Sunday, while Belgium will face Iran earlier that day. Hassan characterized the draw as “very positive,” emphasizing the immediate focus on the upcoming match against New Zealand.

He expressed his aspirations for a favorable outcome, stating that his attention is solely on the next game. As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-06-16 06:25:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk