Double feature for Africa: Brave Egypt frustrate Belgium in stalemate
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Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 15.06.26. | 23:59
The Pharaohs were up at the break, but eventually won only a point, though they can be pleased with both the outcome and their performance - 1-1
Does this even come as a surprise after what Cabo Verde did earlier today against Spain?
Either way, Egypt created another little miracle at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, snatching a valuable point against Belgium - 1-1.
Given that the Pharaohs were up from the 20th to the 66th minute, it could be said that they lost two points instead of winning one, but they still have to be pleased with the result against a much stronger team, while their manager, Hossam Hassan, has to be satisfied with his men’s performance.
Emam Ashour could have been the Egyptians’ hero, as he broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, but Romelu Lukaku caused havoc in the rivals’ defence seconds after coming off the bench, and forced Mohamed Hany’s clumsy reaction and an own goal in the 66th minute.
Regardless, this draw was an excellent opener for the Pharaohs, who can face the next two challenges, New Zealand and Iran, with renewed confidence.
The favourites failed to win in the second match of the day too! #WorldCup
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) June 15, 2026
🇧🇪 Belgium 1-1 Egypt 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/OoSHzmuJdQ
Belgium learned that possession isn't everything in football the hard way in the first half of the clash in Seattle.
Rudi Garcia's men controlled the game, but it brought them little benefit, as the Egyptian wall in front of their goal was unbreakable.
The Pharaohs waited for a chance to hand a blow to the stronger rivals, and awaited one in the 20th minute. The birthday boy Mohamed Salah kept up the ball and found Emam Ashour, who simply received it and unleashed a powerful missile into the bottom-right corner of Thibaut Courtois' net, stunning the Red Devils!
The shocked Belgians kept attacking until the break, but despite dominating possession, they failed to threaten Egypt. In fact, they could have easily conceded another goal, but Courtois superbly denied Mostafa Ziko's long-range effort.
The pressure on Belgium was mounting as the African team awaited the break with a minimal advantage.
Despite chasing the rivals' lead, Garcia kept the national team's all-time leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku, on the bench and fielded the same lineup in the second half.
In the 54th minute, Kevin De Bruyne hit the post from a free kick, missing the best opportunity for Belgium in the game. The Pharaohs responded shortly through Salah, whose header Courtois stopped.
📸 - DE BRUYNE GOT SO CLOSE TO SCORING THIS FREE KICK! pic.twitter.com/eRE9LP8Ej5
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) June 15, 2026
The following minutes brought Omar Marmoush and Youri Tielemans' strikes, while De Bruyne's mild 63rd-minute shot was Belgium's first shot on target in the match.
And then, it was time for Lukaku. The Napoli striker came off the bench in the 66th minute, and just a few seconds later, the Red Devils equalized! Although he wasn't the scorer, he bulldozed his way through Egypt's defence and shoved Mohamed Hany enough to distract him and make him put the ball into his own net after Thomas Meunier's.
The situation that led to Hany's own goal (©Reuters/Agustin Marcarian/Gallo Images)The leveller gave a necessary confidence boost to the Belgians, who were close to completely turning the tables in the 83rd minute, when Egypt keeper Oufa Shobeir superbly stopped Brandon Mechele's header
That attempt marked the last notable moment of the match, which ended in a draw. The Pharaohs can be more pleased with the outcome, though - given the course of the game - the Red Devils should embrace the point they won and turn to clashes against Iran and New Zealand, which should guarantee the knockout phase to them.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)
/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/
Friday, 12. 06.
South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/
Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)
/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/
Saturday, 13.06.
USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)
/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/
Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)
/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/
Sunday, 14.06.
Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)
/Vinicius 42- Saibari 21/
Haiti 0-1 Scotland (0-1)
/McGinn 29/
Australia - Turkey 2-0 (1-0)
/Irankunda 27, Metcalfe 75/
Germany - Curacao 7-1 (3-1)
/Nmecha 6, Schlotterbeck 38, Havertz 45+3(p), 88, Musiala 47, Brown 68, Undav 78 - Comenencia 21/
Netherlands - Japan 2-1 (0-0)
/Van Dijk 51, Summerville 64 - Nakamura 57/
Monday, 15.06.
Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)
/Diallo 90/
Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)
/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/
Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0
Belgium - Egypt 1-1 (0-1)
/Hany 66 og - Ashour 20/
Tuesday 16.06.
01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)
04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)
22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)
***odds are subject to change***