Belgium held as Egypt earn valuable point

Belgium and Egypt opened their World Cup campaigns with a tense 1-1 draw in Seattle, a result that extended Egypt’s long search for a first victory on football’s biggest stage. Emam Ashour stunned the Belgians midway through the first half, drilling a precise low strike beyond Thibaut Courtois after a clever move down the right. Belgium, lacking fluency early on, relied heavily on Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity, with the midfielder twice going close before the interval.

Rudi Garcia introduced Romelu Lukaku after the hour, and the substitution immediately shifted momentum. The striker attacked a Thomas Meunier cross, pressuring Mohamed Hany into turning the ball into his own net. Both sides pushed for a winner, with Youri Tielemans unleashing a fierce volley and Mohamed Salah testing Courtois with a sharp header.

Egypt ultimately protected their point, leaving Group G finely balanced ahead of matches against Iran and New Zealand.