World Cup 2026: Lukaku off the bench rescues Belgium in 1-1 with Egypt

Ashour's strike, Hany's misfortune: 1-1 in Seattle

At a cloudy Lumen Field in Seattle, the World Cup 2026 Group G meeting between Belgium and Egypt ended Belgium 1 - Egypt 1. It was not the comfortable evening many expected for the Red Devils.

Egypt led through E. Ashour, set up by M. Salah, and held the advantage well into the second half. Belgium were level by the hour mark, the equaliser arriving via an own goal from Egypt's M. Hany. From there neither side could find a winner.

The numbers tell of Belgian control without conviction. Belgium edged possession 54% to 46% and posted 1.35 expected goals (xG = the quality of chances created) against Egypt's 1.08. Both sides managed three shots on target and both created two big chances, so the parity on the scoreboard was earned. Belgium racked up 118 attacks to Egypt's 82 and 151 passes into the final third to 62, yet the finishing touch was missing. Thibaut Courtois made two saves; his opposite number made three.

Who Garcia and Egypt picked at Lumen Field

From Ashour's 19th-minute opener to Hany's 66th

The bookings came early, with M. Attia and T. Castagne cautioned inside the opening quarter of an hour. The first goal followed soon after: on 19 minutes E. Ashour finished a M. Salah pass to put Egypt ahead. A. Fatouh was booked before the break as Egypt dug in.

Rudi Garcia reshaped Belgium after the hour, sending on N. Raskin and M. De Cuyper for T. Castagne and A. Onana on 56 minutes. The decisive change came on 66 minutes, when R. Lukaku replaced C. De Ketelaere — and with that same minute Belgium were level, M. Hany turning the ball into his own net. Egypt rotated too, with R. Rabia coming on for Ashour and, later, H. Abdelkarim on for Salah. De Cuyper was booked on 75 minutes. Belgium emptied the bench late, M. Fernandez-Pardo and H. Vanaken on for J. Doku and K. De Bruyne, while Egypt closed out with K. Hafez and I. Adel introduced. No winner arrived.

Belgium were favoured; a draw is what they got

The futbol.so community leaned towards Belgium, with the most-chosen scoreline a tidy Belgium 2 - Egypt 0. Argentina's and Colombia's fans leaned the same way, the Argentine corner even imagining a 3-0. The official forecast also made Belgium clear favourites to win.

Reality was less obliging. Egypt led for much of the night and Belgium needed an own goal simply to draw level. The 1-1 result, as it happens, matched the official model's predicted scoreline precisely — a reminder that the favourites tag does not guarantee the favourites' afternoon.

Video highlights

Belgium 🆚 Egypt #FIFAWorldCupOnYT #shorts #belgium #egypt

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Lukaku’s presence got Belgium back in the game vs. Egypt – Craig Burley | ESPN FC

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HIGHLIGHTS - Belgium v Egypt | Instant impact! | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Belgium On Playing Egypt | Rudi Garcia & Youri Tielemans Take Questions

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Belgium Train Before Egypt

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World Cup: Belgium vs Egypt

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World Cup: Belgium vs Egypt

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A point apiece leaves Group G finely poised, both Belgium and Egypt sitting on five points after three matches and both already through to the Round of 32. Belgium top the group on goal difference, Egypt just behind.

For Egypt it is a draw that feels like progress denied; for Belgium, a draw that owed much to a substitute's presence. The knockout rounds await, and both will hope to look sharper when they get there.