Egypt earned an impressive 1-1 draw against Belgium in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match, frustrating the European side before an unfortunate own goal denied them all three points in Seattle.
Emam Ashour’s first-half strike gave Egypt the lead, but Mohamed Hany’s own goal midway through the second half ensured the points were shared in a tightly contested encounter.
Egypt Strike First
Belgium enjoyed slightly more possession early on but struggled to break through a disciplined Egyptian defence.
The breakthrough instead came for the Pharaohs in the 20th minute when Mohamed Salah produced a perfectly weighted assist for Emam Ashour, who calmly finished to give Egypt a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal rewarded Egypt’s aggressive pressing and quick transitions, leaving Belgium chasing the game for the remainder of the first half.
Belgium Fight Back
Belgium increased the pressure after the interval, introducing fresh legs including Romelu Lukaku as they searched for an equaliser.
Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute, although fortune played a major role.
A dangerous Belgian attack resulted in Mohamed Hany inadvertently turning the ball into his own net, bringing Belgium level at 1-1.
Both teams pushed for a winner during the closing stages, but strong defensive displays and missed opportunities meant neither side could find a decisive breakthrough.
Match Statistics
The contest was remarkably balanced despite Belgium seeing more of the ball.
- Shots: Belgium 15, Egypt 14
- Shots on Target: Belgium 3, Egypt 4
- Possession: Belgium 53%, Egypt 47%
- Passes: Belgium 445, Egypt 367
- Pass Accuracy: Belgium 88%, Egypt 82%
- Corners: Belgium 2, Egypt 7
Egypt created the better chances throughout the match, while Belgium enjoyed more possession but struggled to convert it into clear opportunities.
Goals
- 20′ Emam Ashour (Egypt), assisted by Mohamed Salah – 0-1
- 66′ Mohamed Hany (Own Goal) – 1-1
Group G Perfectly Balanced
The result leaves Group G completely open after the first round of fixtures.
All four teams—New Zealand, Iran, Belgium and Egypt—sit on one point each, setting up a fascinating battle for qualification to the knockout stage.
For Egypt, the performance will provide confidence ahead of their remaining group matches, while Belgium will know they need to improve if they are to progress deep into the tournament.
