SEATTLE — Egypt started its first World Cup campaign since 2018 with a 1-1 draw in its Group G match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium.
Emam Ashour netted his first international goal in the 19th minute, assisted by Mohamed Salah, to give Egypt a 1-0 lead that it would take into halftime. Marwan Attia and Ahmed Fatouh of Egypt along with Timothy Castagne of Belgium all picked up yellow cards in the first half of play.
The score remained 1-0 until Romelu Lukaku entered the match and helped Belgium rescue a point off a Mohammed Hany own goal in the 66th minute. Another yellow card was given to Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper, but the score stayed knotted through the match’s final whistle.
“A lot to take away from here if you’re Egypt,” said SWX local sports director Austin Getz, who is in Seattle covering the match. “Getting out of this match with kind of the powerhouse team in this group on even footing with them, that’s a big win for them. And you also look at how your team played. You played well on defense. You had plenty of scoring opportunities.”
No. 10 Belgium will now face No. 20 IR Iran at Los Angeles Stadium, while No. 29 Egypt will take on No. 85 New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver. Both games will be played Sunday, June 21, at 6 p.m. PDT.