Belgium fazed with an unwanted results in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group game opener as the Pharaohs of Egypt pulled a surprising 1-1 result and a sterling performance.
Group-G’s first game scheduled European giant, Belgium to face historic record winners of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Lumen Field Stadium based at he city of Seattle.
The 72,000 seater capacity stadium hosted football fans, majority being Belgium fans with a handful full of Egyptian spectators. With an unconvincing start from the African side, the star-studded Belgium team failed to utilize their chances.
As the game travelled into time, Egypt grew in momentum hence, their interest to surge forward when in possession of the ball just handed them the confidence to cut into the defensive setup of Belgium.
In a glorious well-worked scoring chance, the Egyptian King, Mohammed Salah laid on a defensive splitting pass to Emam Ashour, who did not look back but seized the chance to find the back of the net to snatch an early lead before half-time.
The inception of the second-half of action saw Belgium’s experience come to light as an early introduction of Belgium’s all time top-scorer Romelu Lukaku replace De Ketelaere on minute 66.
With shot hit with precision across the face of goal in search of Lukaku, an unfortunate wicked clearance motioned the ball into the back of the net by Egypt’s defender, Mohammed Hany.
Now, Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Egypt in effect leaves Group-G opened for any of the four paired teams to qualified as none of the nations can boast of an advantageous accrued maximum points withstanding Saudi Arabia and Uruguay’s group game opener.