The Group G matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway at Seattle Stadium, where Belgium and Egypt faced off in a game that ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw.
Contrary to expectations, it was Egypt who struck first thanks to their fearless approach. Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb low-driven shot. After conceding, Belgium took control of possession and dictated much of the play, but they were unable to find an equalizer before halftime.
Belgium’s first major chance of the second half came in the 53rd minute when Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick crashed against the upright. Two minutes later, Thibaut Courtois came to the rescue for the Red Devils. He first denied Mohamed Salah’s header, and on the rebound Imam Ashour squandered a golden opportunity by firing well wide of the target.
One of the most notable aspects of the match was Egypt’s refusal to sit back completely, which continued to give them opportunities to score a second goal. However, Belgium found their equalizer in the 66th minute, with Romelu Lukaku making an immediate impact after coming off the bench. The goal ultimately went down as an own goal by Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany.
In the 83rd minute, Mostafa Shobeir produced an excellent save to keep out Brandon Mechele’s powerful header and preserve the deadlock.
The points were shared between Belgium and Egypt in the opening Group G fixture. In the group’s second match, Iran will take on New Zealand in Los Angeles.
