With the beginning match of Belgium in the FIFA World Cup campaign, the Red Devils were at the brink of a shocking loss. At the 66th minute of the match, Romelu Lukaku equalised the scoreboard by forcing Mohamed Hany to an own goal.
Romelu Lukaku saved Belgium from a nightmare World Cup opener, rescuing a 1-1 draw against Egypt just 23 seconds after coming off the bench. His instant equalizer spared the Red Devils from a shocking upset in front of 66,000 stunned fans.
Lukaku as the game-changer
Coming back from an injury that had kept him out for much of the season, the forward was given a standing ovation by Belgium fans upon stepping on to the field in the 66th minute. Just seconds after, his mere presence earned the team an equalizer. Running in through the center to receive a cross from the right, he forced Mohamed Hany of Egypt to kick the ball into his own net, erasing the earlier score by Egypt.
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"He is a target man. He just needs to get fit," said Belgium captain Youri Tielemans. "It's quite understandable after being out for the season."
This near miss saved Belgium from suffering another disaster similar to its shocking group stage elimination during the 2022 World Cup.
Egypt stings major surprise
Egypt was by far the sharper side early on, fully earning their 19th-minute lead when Emam Ashour pounced on a defensive blunder to smash home his first international goal in 30 appearances.
The Pharaohs played with a fierce intensity that routinely shredded Belgium's backline, leaving manager Rudi Garcia’s men fortunate to head into the locker room down by just one. "This match proves we were the ones closer to winning," Egypt coach Hossam Hassan noted afterward.
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Despite their dominance of possession, Belgium played a rather disjointed match. The best opportunity to score came from Kevin De Bruyne just before halftime, with a shot which went wide, then hitting the left post in the 53rd minute. Romelu Lukaku almost snatched victory for the home side in the final minute but Belgian’s header went over the bar.
Belgium's veterans rescue side as Iran test looms
Belgium's opening FIFA World Cup performance exposed the team's continued dependence on its experienced stars, with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois once again playing key roles for the Red Devils.
While Jérémy Doku provided a bright spark on the wings and created several promising opportunities, Belgium struggled to impose themselves for large periods of the match. Midfielder Youri Tielemans admitted the team's problems were largely self-inflicted.
"Our biggest problem was ourselves," Tielemans said, pointing to poor ball retention, slow transitions and a lack of movement, particularly during a disappointing first half.
Head coach Rudi Garcia echoed those concerns, admitting Belgium failed to establish any rhythm and were far from their best technically. The manager also highlighted his side's lack of efficiency in front of goal, noting that too few of their attempts tested the opposition goalkeeper.
Despite the underwhelming display, Garcia remains confident about Belgium's chances in Group G, which also includes Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. He still considers Belgium and Egypt the favourites to advance from the group.
The focus has now shifted to Sunday's crucial encounter with Iran. Garcia left no doubt about the importance of the fixture, insisting Belgium must claim all three points. After a shaky start, the Red Devils know a stronger performance is needed to keep their World Cup campaign on track.
FAQs:
Who scored the opening goal for Egypt in the 19th minute of the match?
Emam Ashour scored his first international goal after pouncing on a defensive blunder.
Which teams make up Group G in the World Cup alongside Belgium and Egypt?
Group G also features New Zealand and Iran.
