EGYPT WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN STARTS WITH A PULSATING DRAW.

​Egypt and Belgium kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaigns with an entertaining 1-1 draw in Seattle. On what was Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah’s 34th birthday, the Pharaohs came agonizingly close to securing their first-ever World Cup victory, only to be denied by a second-half own goal forced by Belgium's veteran substitute Romelu Lukaku.

​The draw means seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt must wait a bit longer to break their historical World Cup winless hoodoo, though a hard-fought point against the European heavyweights leaves Group G wide open.

KEY MATCH TIMELINE:

Time Event Description

7' 🎯 Chance Kevin De Bruyne creates the first real opening, dragging a sharp effort narrowly wide of the Egyptian post.

23' ⚽ GOAL! Emam Ashour (Egypt) thunders a beautifully struck effort from outside the area past Thibaut Courtois into the bottom-right corner. (0–1)

45+2' 🛑 Half-Time Egypt heads into the break leading a World Cup match for only the second time in their history.

53' 🪵 Woodwork Kevin De Bruyne curls a brilliant close-range free-kick over the wall, but it rockets off the outside of the post.

55' 🧤 Save Mohamed Salah ghosted into the box with a downward header, but Courtois punched it away safely.

65' 🔄 Substitution Romelu Lukaku is subbed on for Belgium by manager Rudi Garcia to inject life into the attack.

66' ⚽ GOAL! Mohamed Hany (Own Goal). Within 30 seconds of coming on, Lukaku’s menacing run to meet a Thomas Meunier cross forces Hany to inadvertently bundle the ball into his own net. (1–1)

75' 🔄 Substitution Egypt sub off Mohamed Salah to bolster their defense and protect the point.

82' 🧤 Save Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir makes a critical late save to deny Belgium the winner.

88' ❌ Miss Lukaku misses a golden opportunity to steal the win, heading a cross from Nicolas Raskin wide from eight yards out.

90+4' ⏱️ Full-Time The referee blows the final whistle on a pulsating 1-1 draw.

Group G Outlook

​With a crucial point secured against the group favorites, Egypt shifts their focus to their remaining North American group fixtures against Iran and New Zealand, where they will heavily back themselves to find that elusive historical victory and advance to the knockout rounds.

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