◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Super-sub Romelu Lukaku forces own goal to help Belgium salvage a 1-1 draw against Egypt..

Belgium held Egypt to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Seattle Stadium on Monday.

In the first half, Ashour scored with a long-range shot. In the second half, De Bruyne's free-kick hit the post, and Lukaku's close-range run resulted in an own goal by an Egyptian defender. The match ended 1-1. After this round of matches, both De Rode Duivels and the Pharaohs are currently ranked 3rd and 4th in the group with 1 point each.

First Half

In the 20th minute, Mohamed Salah passes horizontally from the right wing. Emam Ashour quickly followed up, got the ball and turned around before taking a right-footed long shot from the just outside of the penalty area, his shot flew straight into the bottom left corner of the net, leaving Thibaut Courtois helpless. Egypt broke the deadlock first to take an early 0-1 lead! This was Ashour's first international goal! Meanwhile Liverpool legend Salah broke the record by becoming the first player to score or assist in a World Cup match on his birthday!

11 minutes later, Timothy Castagne crossed into the box from the left wing, where Youri Tielemans quickly quickly followed up and attempted with a header, however the latter's effort went wide of the right side of the post.

In the 33rd minute, Marwan Attia passes horizontally from the right wing. Moustafa Ziko quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot was saved by Courtois.

4 minutes later, Jérémy Doku passed the ball back from the right side of the box. Leandro Trossard quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked by Mohanad Lasheen.

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Charles De Ketelaere passed the ball back from the center of the box. Jérémy Doku quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, half-volleyed with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

1 minute later, Egypt launched a quick counter-attack. Nathan Ngoy made an error while clearing the ball in his own back half, allowing Omar Marmoush to intercept the ball and dribble into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot from a difficult angle against the outrushing Courtois, but his shot  was blocked by the latter's outstretched leg.

At halftime, Belgium enter the break temporarily trailing Egypt by 0-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 47th minute, Attia passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Marmoush and Ziko both volleyed from the center of the box, but both shots were blocked by Brandon Mechele.

5 minutes later, Belgium won a free kick opportunity . Kevin De Bruyne took the free kick from outside the penalty area by taking a direct left-footed shot, but his shot unfortunately struck the left post and bounced off. Belgium missed a golden opportunity to equalize against Egypt!

In the 55th minute, Ahmed Fatouh crossed into the left side of the box, where Mohamed Salah rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Courtois made.

4 minutes later, Egypt launched a quick counter-attack. Salah delivered a through ball from near the midfield center circle. After successfully beating the offside trap, Marmoush quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 62nd minute, Thomas Meunier passes horizontally from the right side of the box. De Bruyne quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot was saved by Moustafa Shoubir.

4 minutes later, Meunier passes horizontally from the right side of the box. The ball was then briefly touched by the outrushing Romelu Lukaku in the center of the box, and then inadvertently deflected into the net by Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany, resulting in an own goal. Belgium equalized against Egypt at 1-1! The Napoli striker, coming on as a substitute, scored within 30 seconds, creating a memorable moment in the match!

In the 83rd minute, Tielemans crossed into the box from the right wing, where Brandon Mechele rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Shoubir.

4 minutes later, Nicolas Raskins crossed into the box from the right wing, where Lukaku rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort flew high and went out of the pitch.

When the final whistle is blown, Belgium held Egypt to a 1-1 draw.

Image source: Internet / AFP