Belgium were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against a spirited Egypt side in their opening Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Romelu Lukaku’s second-half impact prevented what would have been one of the tournament’s earliest upsets.
In front of a crowd of more than 66,000 at Seattle Stadium, Egypt delivered a disciplined and confident performance, matching Belgium stride for stride and leaving many observers believing they deserved more than a share of the points.
Egypt stunned the ninth-ranked Europeans in the 19th minute when midfielder Emam Ashour scored his first international goal. The move was initiated by Mohamed Salah, whose vision and precision created the opening that Ashour calmly converted past Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium had dominated possession during the opening stages but struggled to break through Egypt’s compact defensive structure. Jeremy Doku squandered a promising opportunity, while Kevin De Bruyne struck the post from a free kick as frustration grew among the Belgian ranks.
The match changed dramatically in the 66th minute when head coach Rudi Garcia introduced Romelu Lukaku from the bench. The veteran striker made an immediate impact, unsettling Egypt’s defence with his physical presence and movement.
Just moments after entering the field, Lukaku helped create the equaliser. A dangerous delivery from Thomas Meunier forced Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany into an own goal, bringing Belgium level at 1-1 and shifting momentum in favour of the Red Devils.
Despite the setback, Egypt refused to retreat. Salah and Omar Marmoush continued to threaten on the counterattack, while Courtois was called into action on several occasions to keep Belgium in the contest.
Both sides pushed for a winner during a tense final phase. Lukaku missed a late opportunity to complete the comeback, while Egypt felt aggrieved after a penalty appeal in stoppage time was waved away without a VAR review.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia praised his team’s resilience after the match, highlighting Lukaku’s influence and the importance of squad depth in major tournaments. Meanwhile, Egypt manager Hossam Hassan described the performance as proof that his team had arrived at the World Cup to compete rather than merely participate.
International media widely praised Egypt’s display, with several outlets describing the result as a moral victory for the African side. While Belgium escaped with a point, Egypt demonstrated they possess the quality and belief required to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.
Match Result
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Goalscorers
Belgium: Mohamed Hany (own goal, 66′)
Egypt: Emam Ashour (19′)
Key Talking Point
Romelu Lukaku’s introduction transformed the match. Although he did not score, his presence immediately altered the game’s dynamics and helped Belgium avoid a damaging opening defeat.
What It Means
The draw leaves Group G finely balanced. Belgium now face increased pressure in their upcoming fixture, while Egypt can take enormous confidence from a performance that proved they can compete with the world’s elite on football’s biggest stage.
