23 seconds was all Romelu Lukaku needed to alter Belgium’s World Cup opener against Egypt. The veteran striker came off the bench in the 66th minute, drove into the box, and helped force Mohamed Hany’s own goal in a 1-1 draw in Seattle. For Egypt, it was another painful near-miss: a first-ever World Cup win was within reach, then slipped away. For Belgium, the point mattered because a misfiring attack had been drifting toward a damaging opening defeat.
The Bottom Line
- Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup Group G opener at Seattle Stadium.
- Emam Ashour scored in the 19th minute, his first international goal, after Mohamed Salah found him from the right side.
- Lukaku entered in the 66th minute and helped force Hany’s own goal almost immediately.
- Egypt remain without a World Cup win after eight attempts, despite leading a match they had chances to finish.
- Belgium extended their winless World Cup run to three matches, but ended a 325-minute scoring drought at the tournament.
Breaking It Down
The match began under a heat advisory in Seattle, with on-field temperatures at 30C and a crowd of 66,775 packed into a noon kickoff. Cooling breaks were not a luxury in those conditions; they became part of the rhythm of a game where both teams were trying to press, break and survive the heat at the same time.
Egypt struck first in the 19th minute. Salah, playing on his 34th birthday, slipped the ball to Ashour, who cut toward the top of the area and drove a shot beyond Thibaut Courtois. Opta later recorded Salah as the first African player to register a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday, while Ashour’s finish gave Egypt only their second lead in a World Cup match.
Belgium had possession after falling behind, but much of it lacked a clean final action. Egypt doubled up on Jérémy Doku early, Leandro Trossard was dispossessed repeatedly in the first half, and Kevin De Bruyne’s long-range attempts did not give Mostafa Shobeir much trouble until a free kick hit the post after the break. Egypt were not simply hanging on either; Salah forced Courtois into a save with a header, and Mostafa Zico and Omar Marmoush were involved in moments that kept Belgium alert.
Then Rudi Garcia made the change that reshaped the result. Lukaku replaced Charles De Ketelaere in the 66th minute, and Belgium immediately attacked through Thomas Meunier on the right. The cross passed Lukaku’s sliding leg, but his run dragged the defence toward goal and Hany turned the ball into his own net. CBC reported the equalizer came only 23 seconds after Lukaku entered; Opta measured it at 22 seconds, which tells the same story: Belgium’s bench solved a problem the starters had not.
Why This Matters
For Egypt, the draw carries two truths at once. A point against Belgium is valuable in a group that also includes Iran and New Zealand, but the chance to claim a first World Cup victory was real. Ashour was named Player of the Match by The Athletic after scoring and helping defensively, while Hany’s own goal came despite Opta crediting him with a strong individual display: five tackles won from six, eight duels won from 11 and both dribbles completed.
For Belgium, this was a warning and a relief. De Bruyne, Doku and Courtois all had uneven moments, and the attack looked blunt until Lukaku’s entrance. Yet the equalizer stopped Belgium from opening with a loss and ended that 325-minute World Cup scoring drought dating back to Qatar 2022.
For Canadian fans watching through TSN and CBC coverage, the result also makes Group G more open from the start. Belgium were heavy favourites before kickoff, while Egypt arrived with Salah and Marmoush giving them genuine threat. A draw means both teams leave Seattle with a point, but neither leaves with control of the group.
What Comes Next
Belgium and Egypt now turn toward their remaining Group G matches against Iran and New Zealand. The Athletic reported Belgium’s next game is against Iran on Sunday, a match where Lukaku’s instant influence will make his starting status a bigger talking point.
Egypt’s task is sharper: keep the ambition they showed in Seattle, but turn leads and chances into a complete result. The draw did not end their long World Cup wait, but it did prove they can trouble a heavyweight when Salah, Ashour and their counterattack connect.
FAQ
Who scored in Belgium vs Egypt?
Emam Ashour scored for Egypt in the 19th minute. Belgium equalized in the 66th minute when Mohamed Hany turned a Thomas Meunier cross into his own net under pressure from Romelu Lukaku.
How fast did Lukaku affect the match?
Lukaku helped force Belgium’s equalizer almost immediately after coming on. CBC reported it happened 23 seconds after his substitution, while Opta listed the impact at 22 seconds.
Has Egypt ever won a World Cup match?
No. Egypt have played eight World Cup matches and still have not won one, with Opta listing their record as three draws and five losses.
Why was Mohamed Salah’s assist significant?
Salah turned 34 on match day and assisted Ashour’s goal. Opta recorded him as the first African player to have a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday.
What does the draw mean for Group G?
Belgium and Egypt each earned one point. Their next results against Iran and New Zealand will decide whether this draw becomes a useful platform or a missed opportunity.