Egypt was denied a dream start to their 2026 World Cup campaign as a resilient Belgium side fought back in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw in their Group G opener at Seattle Stadium, spoiling Mohamed Salah’s 34th birthday celebrations.
The Pharaohs looked poised to capture their first-ever victory in World Cup history after taking a shocking first-half lead. Midfielder Emam Ashour silenced the European giants right before the match’s opening hydration break, unleashing a perfectly placed strike that beat Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to put Egypt ahead 1-0.
It marked only the second time in the nation’s history that they have held a lead in a World Cup tournament.
Egypt managed to protect their narrow advantage well into the second half, frustrating the Belgian attack. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the 65th minute when Belgium manager Rudi Garcia substituted veteran striker Romelu Lukaku into the match.
The tactical move paid off almost immediately. Lukaku’s physical presence inside the penalty box caused panic in the Egyptian defense during a rapid attack. As the striker lunged toward a dangerous cross delivered by Thomas Meunier, defender Mohamed Hany inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, gifting Belgium the equalizer.
Despite the late pressure, both sides held on to split the points. The result means Egypt’s agonizing wait for an elusive World Cup win continues, though they remain well-positioned in Group G with upcoming matches against Iran and New Zealand. Meanwhile, for Belgium’s aging “Golden Generation”—including Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne—the hard-fought point keeps their hopes alive in what is widely expected to be their final shot at international glory.
