Belgium And Egypt Draw 1-1 In Group G At The 2026 World Cup Opener

Egypt saw a first World Cup victory slip away after a 1-1 draw with Belgium at Seattle Stadium, with Mohamed Hany’s 66th-minute own goal cancelling Emam Ashour’s long-range strike. The Group G opener delivered chances for both sides, yet neither team managed to secure three points.

The match opened with Belgium threatening first, as Kevin De Bruyne drove a shot just wide of the left post. Egypt struck soon after on 19 minutes, when Salah found Ashour, who was allowed space and beat Thibaut Courtois from distance, giving Egypt an early and deserved advantage.

Mohamed Salah turned 34 on Monday and almost marked the birthday with a historic win for Egypt. Salah produced the assist for Ashour’s opener and remained Egypt’s main creative force. Salah led the team with three chances created, while Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush attempted a match-high five shots.

At exactly 34 years of age, Salah is now the second-oldest African player to assist at a World Cup since 1966. The only older player is Roger Milla, who set up a goal for Cameroon against England in 1990 when aged 38 years and 42 days.

Belgium stabilised after falling behind, but Egypt stayed dangerous. Around the half-hour mark, Mostafa Zico nearly doubled the lead, forcing Courtois into a full-stretch save. Belgium replied just before half-time, when Jeremy Doku burst into the box but fired over, keeping Egypt’s narrow advantage intact at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams wasting openings. De Bruyne rattled the woodwork from a free-kick, then Salah’s close-range header was kept out by Courtois. Soon after, Zico miscued a shot from a Salah cutback, missing a key chance that could have put Egypt two goals ahead.

Momentum finally turned after Marmoush saw a deflected effort drift wide of Courtois’ goal. Belgium drew level in the 66th minute, when Thomas Meunier drove a low cross into the box and Hany, attempting to clear under pressure, diverted the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir for an unfortunate own goal.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku, playing at a fourth World Cup, changed the tone for Rudi Garcia’s side. Lukaku pushed Egypt’s defence deeper and became a constant target. A powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area was blocked, before Brandon Mechele’s close-range header was turned away by Shobeir.

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Lukaku’s influence continued in the closing stages, but Belgium could not find a winner. The forward met Nicolas Raskin’s cross with a late header, yet the effort flew over the bar. Earlier, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans had led Belgium with three chances created each, while De Bruyne finished with five shots but no goal.

Hany’s own goal already becomes the third own goal of the 2026 World Cup, surpassing the total across the entire 2022 tournament. The defender’s overall display remained strong, with five of six tackles won, eight of 11 duels successful and both attempted dribbles completed, underlining Hany’s misfortune on the decisive moment.

Both teams leave Seattle Stadium with a point, and Group G stays finely balanced. Egypt showed that the attack led by Salah can trouble leading opponents, while Belgium avoided defeat after a slow start. The draw keeps qualification hopes alive for both sides heading into the remaining group matches.