Pharoahs Denied:Egypt Settle For 1-1 Draw With Belgium

Lukaku Forces Own Goal as Belgium Fight Back to Hold Egypt 1-1 in World Cup Opener

Egypt’s wait for a first World Cup win goes on after Belgium fought back for a 1-1 draw in their Group G opener at Seattle Stadium on Monday. Mohamed Salah’s 34th birthday was spoiled as Emam Ashour gave the Pharaohs an early lead, only for Romelu Lukaku to come off the bench and force defender Mohamed Hany into a second-half own goal.

The seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions started brightly and took the lead just before the hydration break. Ashour picked up the ball in a similar position to Kevin De Bruyne and struck a sweet shot into the bottom-right corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance.

It was only the second time in Egypt’s World Cup history they had led in a match, after Salah’s goal against Saudi Arabia in 2018. Salah almost made it two when he ghosted in for a header that Courtois punched away, with Ashour unable to convert the rebound.

Belgium looked sluggish for long spells but grew into the game after the break. De Bruyne came closest to equalizing early in the second half when his close-range free-kick cannoned off the outside of the post.

The match opened up from there, with Youri Tielemans volleying just wide and both teams trading chances. With 65 minutes gone, coach Rudi Garcia introduced Lukaku and the move paid off immediately. Belgium’s all-time top scorer darted in on a Thomas Meunier cross, and his presence alone was enough to destabilize Hany, who put the ball into his own net under pressure.

Egypt held on for a point after Salah was substituted with 15 minutes left. Coach Hossam Hassan explained the change was tactical and based on the heat in Seattle, saying he needed fresh legs to protect the result. He also hit out at the referee after the game, claiming Egypt were denied a “million percent penalty” that VAR did not check. “If it was against us, it would have been given,” Hassan said. “Egypt is not a small team.”

The draw leaves both sides with work to do in Group G, where Egypt still face Iran and New Zealand. For Belgium, this is likely the last shot for De Bruyne, Courtois and Lukaku to add silverware to a golden generation that finished third in Russia 2018. For Egypt, the point is progress, but the hoodoo continues. If they are to make history in North America, they must find a way to turn strong performances into victories.