Egypt and Belgium Share Points in FIFA World Cup Clash

In a gripping FIFA World Cup match, Egypt and Belgium ended in a 1-1 draw. Emam Ashour scored for Egypt, but Romelu Lukaku's quick impact led to an own goal equalizer. Mohamed Salah made history on his birthday with an assist, but despite several chances, neither team could secure a win. This match highlights the ongoing challenges for Egypt in their World Cup journey.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 04:12 IST

Match Overview

In a thrilling encounter in Seattle on June 16, Egypt faced Belgium in a FIFA World Cup match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite a promising start with a goal from Emam Ashour, Belgium equalized almost immediately through an own goal by Mohamed Hany, just 22 seconds after Romelu Lukaku entered the game.

This match marked Egypt's fourth appearance in the FIFA World Cup, with the team still seeking its first victory after eight matches. Led by the legendary Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian squad aimed to secure their first win in this prestigious tournament.

The match also featured a notable rivalry between Salah and Belgium's Kevin de Bruyne, both former Premier League stars. Salah, celebrating his 34th birthday, contributed to Egypt's goal by assisting Ashour, who skillfully finished past Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

With this assist, Salah made history as the first African player to be involved in a World Cup goal on his birthday since 1966. The first half concluded with Belgium dominating possession at 58%, while Egypt managed only 42%.

After halftime, Egypt's Zico and Omar Marmoush had opportunities to extend their lead but were thwarted by Belgium's defense. De Bruyne came close to scoring for Belgium, hitting the post in the 53rd minute. However, it was Lukaku's quick impact that changed the game, leading to the equalizer.

Despite several attempts from both sides, including a strong save from Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier against a header from Mechele, the match ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to find a winner even after five minutes of added time.