Belgium and Egypt Open World Cup 2026 with a 1-1 Draw

In a thrilling debut match for both teams, Belgium and Egypt ended in a 1-1 draw at the Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday, marking the start of Group G in the World Cup 2026.

The game was largely controlled by the African side for over 40 minutes, with the equalizer arriving through an unexpected own goal.

Early Tensions and Key Moments

The match kicked off with noticeable tension right from the first 15 minutes. Egypt's M. Attia was the first to receive a yellow card in the 13th minute, quickly followed by Belgium's T. Castagne a minute later. The physical nature of the contest was evident from the start.

Egypt took the lead with confidence as midfielder Emam Ashour netted a powerful strike in the 19th minute, following an assist from Mohamed Salah. The goal, hailed as "a stunning strike" by various sports outlets, gave Egypt an early advantage.

Egypt's Dominance and Belgium's Response

Emam Ashour, a key player for Al Ahly SC at 28, celebrated one of the most talked-about goals of the group's opening day. Egypt maintained their lead throughout the first half and much of the second, with a disciplined defense that thwarted Belgium's efforts.

The 34th minute saw A. Fatouh receive Egypt's second yellow card, which would later influence the team's strategy in the second half.

Bizarre Turn of Events and Belgium's Struggles

Belgium made tactical substitutions as the second half began. Castagne was replaced by Onana at the 56th minute, and De Ketelaere came in as the third substitute at the 66th minute. It was precisely at this moment that Belgium equalized in the most unexpected fashion: an own goal by Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany brought the score to 1-1. This own goal was Belgium's only score of the match, underscoring the Red Devils' offensive challenges.

Despite controlling 54% of the possession, Belgium couldn't find the back of the net with their own efforts during the 90 minutes. The stats highlighted a closely matched contest: 13 shots each, three on target per side, and two yellow cards for both teams. Egypt managed more corner opportunities—seven compared to Belgium's two—demonstrating their ability to press forward even after conceding.

Final Push and Group Standings

In the closing moments, both teams leaned on their star players. Mohamed Salah, Egypt's legendary captain at 33 and Liverpool star, entered as a substitute in the 76th minute but couldn't break the deadlock. For Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku came on in the 86th minute, also without success. The score remained unchanged.

This result leaves Belgium and Egypt with one point each in Group G of the World Cup 2026, while Iran and New Zealand start with zero points. The tournament format allows the top two from each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, to advance, keeping both Belgium and Egypt in contention. However, they must secure victories in upcoming matches to avoid relying on other results.