Belgium were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Egypt after Romelu Lukaku made an immediate impact from the bench to rescue a point in a tense World Cup contest. The result leaves Belgium with clear questions to answer after a flat performance against disciplined and determined opposition.
Egypt took a deserved lead through Emam Ashour, capping an energetic display that exposed Belgium’s lack of creativity for long stretches. The Pharaohs defended with conviction, stayed compact without the ball and looked capable of seeing out a famous victory as pressure grew on one of the tournament favorites.
Belgium’s response arrived the moment Lukaku entered the match. The striker needed only 22 seconds to influence the decisive passage of play, with his presence forcing the situation that ended in Mohamed Hany turning the ball into his own net. It was an equaliser that underlined Lukaku’s physical threat and his importance to Belgium in high-pressure moments.
Even so, the late lifeline did not hide the broader concerns for Belgium. Their build-up lacked urgency, the attack often looked predictable and the team struggled to impose itself on a well-organized opponent. A side with ambitions of a deep World Cup run will expect more control and sharper execution than it produced here.
For Egypt, the draw felt richly deserved. Ashour’s goal gave them belief, their defending remained disciplined throughout and they earned a point that few outside their camp expected. Belgium escaped with a result, but Egypt left with greater momentum and a performance that demanded respect.
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