Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Lumen Field
Seattle, Washington
15 June 2026
Egypt are still searching for their first-ever World Cup win after Belgium came from behind to claim a 1-1 in their Group G opener at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on Monday, June 15.
The Pharaohs took an early lead through Emam Ashour, but they weren't able to hold on for a historic victory after Mohamed Hany's own-goal earned Rudi Garcia's side a share of the spoils.
This was the first meeting between the two teams at the tournament and the Red Devils almost got off to a flying start when Kevin De Bruyne narrowly missed the target with a shot on the turn from the edge of the box on seven minutes.
Instead the opening goal arrived at the other end 12 minutes later as Ashour produced a clinical finish from 18 yards out after tucking his shot into the bottom left corner of the net, with Mohamed Salah getting the assist.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Youri Tielemans should have equalised on 31 minutes when he rose above his marker to get on the end of Timothy Castagne's cross, but his header sailed to the right of the goal.
Thibaut Courtois then kept Belgium in the game with a brilliant save to turn Mostafa Ziko's low strike from the edge of the area behind for a corner on 33 minutes before Jeremy Doku sent a first-time shot wide of the right post in the first minute of added time.
Egypt had another chance to double the advantage before the break, but Omar Marmoush was unable to beat Courtois from inside the box on the stroke of half-time.
De Bruyne threatened to restore parity eight minutes after the restart with a well-taken free-kick that struck the left post, while Courtois had to be at his best to keep out Salah's header on 55 minutes and he was fortunate to see Ashour miss the target on the rebound.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The Red Devils kept knocking on the door and Tielemans wasn't far off with a volley from the edge of the box that flashed just past the left post on 62 minutes before De Bruyne could only fire straight at Mostafa Shobeir moments later.
However, they finally hit back on 66 minutes as substitute Romelu Lukaku forced Hany to divert Thomas Meunier's low delivery past Shobeir under pressure from the burly striker.
The equaliser reinvigorated Belgium and Shobeir was called into action to deny Meunier from inside the area on 73 minutes before the goalkeeper pulled off an outstanding save from Brandon Mechele's close-range header in the 83rd minute.
Lukaku spurned the chance to complete the comeback three minutes from time when he directed a header over the crossbar from Nicolas Raskin's lofted pass.
Belgium (0) 1 (Hany 66' OG)
Egypt (1) 1 (Ashour 19')
Belgium: T. Courtois, T. Meunier, N. Ngoy, B. Mechele, T. Castagne (N. Raskin 56'), A. Onana (M. De Cuyper 56'), Y. Tielemans, L. Trossard, K. De Bruyne (H. Vanaken 86'), J. Doku (M. Fernandez-Pardo 86'), C. De Ketelaere (R. Lukaku 66').
Egypt: M. Shobeir, M. Hany, Y. Ibrahim, H. Fathy (I. Adel 89'), A. Fatouh (K. Hafez 89'), M. Attia, M. Lasheen, M. Ziko (Zizo 76'), M. Salah (H. Abdelkarim 76'), E. Ashour (R. Rabia 71'), O. Marmoush.
Bet on the 2026 World Cup with Betway
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the World Cup, English Premier League, the Italian Serie A, the Spanish La Liga and many more.
Join our Telegram Channel
Get way more with Betway. Enjoy the thrill of sports betting, casino games, and more. Join our community for tips, bonuses, and exciting offers. #BetwaySquad
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube. Download the Betway App.