Romelu Lukaku needed just twenty two seconds to change the course of a match he had not even started, rescuing a 1-1 draw for Belgium against Egypt at Seattle Stadium on Monday, June 15. Emam Ashour’s superb 19th-minute strike from distance had given Egypt a first-half lead and a real chance of a maiden World Cup victory, but Lukaku’s introduction off the bench in the 66th minute forced a Mohamed Hany own goal almost instantly, denying the Pharaohs a result that would have ended a 92-year wait for their first World Cup win.

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Full match highlights from Belgium vs Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are available to watch now. Watch below

Match Details

  • Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group G
  • Date: Monday, 15 June 2026
  • Venue: Seattle Stadium
  • Kick-off: 12:00 PM local time
  • Result: Belgium 1-1 Egypt

Goalscorers

  • Belgium: Mohamed Hany (own goal, 66′)
  • Egypt: Emam Ashour (19′)

First Half: Ashour’s Birthday Moment

Egypt produced the moment of the match in the searing Seattle heat. Mohamed Salah, celebrating his 34th birthday, set up Emam Ashour for a stunning 19th-minute strike from distance, becoming the first African player on record since 1966 to register a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday. The goal gave Egypt their first-ever World Cup half-time lead, and for the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, it represented a genuine chance at history.

Belgium struggled to find rhythm for long periods of the first half. Rudi Garcia’s side lacked the urgency many expected from a squad built around Kevin De Bruyne, who attempted to spark his team into life but could not find the breakthrough his side desperately needed before the break.

Second Half: Lukaku’s Instant Impact

De Bruyne struck the outside of the post with a free kick early in the second half, a warning sign that Belgium were beginning to find their feet. But it was Garcia’s decision to introduce Romelu Lukaku in the 66th minute, replacing Charles De Ketelaere, that proved decisive. Belgium’s all-time leading scorer needed only twenty two seconds on the pitch to make his mark, meeting a Thomas Meunier cross with his presence in the box enough to force Mohamed Hany into turning the ball into his own net.

It was a moment that underlined both Lukaku’s continued value to this Belgium squad despite a season disrupted by injury, and the difference experience can make at a World Cup. Belgium pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier superbly denying Brandon Mechele’s header, while Lukaku himself headed over a late chance that would have completed the turnaround. Neither side could find a winner, and the points were shared.

Egypt’s Near-Miss

For Egypt, this was about as close as they have ever come to a first World Cup win. Prior to this match, the Pharaohs had only ever led a World Cup fixture for 29 minutes across their entire history and had never tasted victory at the tournament. Leading for 47 minutes against Belgium represents new ground, even if the ultimate result fell agonisingly short. Mohamed Salah’s all-round performance, even at 34 and on his birthday, showed why he remains central to Egypt’s hopes in this tournament.

Belgium Coach Reacts

Rudi Garcia praised his squad’s resilience after the match, acknowledging that opening fixtures against strong African opposition are always difficult, and highlighting that the team’s ability to find an equaliser through a substitute demonstrated the strength in depth available to Belgium this summer.

Key Stats

  • Romelu Lukaku forced the equalising own goal just 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
  • Mohamed Salah became the first African player on record since 1966 to register a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday.
  • Egypt led a World Cup match for 47 minutes, the longest spell in their history, surpassing their previous record of 29 minutes.
  • This was Egypt’s first World Cup appearance since 2018, and they remain without a win at the tournament.

What Comes Next

Belgium face Iran in their next Group G fixture, while Egypt take on New Zealand. Both matches carry significant weight, with Iran and New Zealand having played out their own dramatic 2-2 draw on the same day, leaving Group G entirely level after the opening round of fixtures.

This article was updated following the final whistle on 15 June 2026. All statistics are sourced from FIFA, ESPN, and Sky Sports.