Belgium 1-1 Egypt – group stage, Group G result

The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued its opening week at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, where Belgium faced Egypt in a Group G encounter. Both sides arrived looking to secure early points in a tournament that promises tightly contested matches across the globe.

How it unfolded

The match began with a flurry of early cautions. In the 13th minute, Egypt’s Marawan Attia was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, signalling the physical intensity that would characterise the opening stages. Just a minute later, Belgium’s Timothy Castagne received a similar booking for a bad foul, balancing the disciplinary ledger.

The first real breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Egyptian forward Emam Ashour, operating from the edge of the penalty area, unleashed a right-footed strike that curled into the bottom left corner of the net. The goal was set up by a precise pass from Mohamed Salah, giving Egypt a deserved 1-0 lead and putting the home crowd on notice.

Egypt’s momentum was briefly checked when, in the 34th minute, midfielder Ahmed Fatouh was booked for a bad foul, the third yellow of the match. The Red Devils pressed for an equaliser, but it was not until the second half that the scoreline changed.

In the 66th minute, a defensive mishap awarded Belgium the equaliser. Mohamed Hany, attempting to clear a cross, inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, turning the score to 1-1 and reviving Belgium’s hopes.

The final booking of the evening came in the 75th minute when Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, marking the fourth caution of the game. No further goals were scored, and the match concluded with both teams sharing the points.

Standout performers

  • Emam Ashour (Egypt) – Scored the opening goal in the 20th minute, showcasing composure from distance.
  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Provided the decisive assist for Ashour’s strike, demonstrating vision on the right flank.
  • Mohamed Hany (Egypt) – Although unfortunate, his own-goal in the 66th minute was the decisive moment that levelled the match for Belgium.

Match facts

  • Final score: Belgium 1-1 Egypt
  • Scorers:
    • Emam Ashour (Egypt) – 20'
    • Mohamed Hany (own goal, Egypt) – 66'
  • Bookings:
    • Marawan Attia (Egypt) – 13'
    • Timothy Castagne (Belgium) – 14'
    • Ahmed Fatouh (Egypt) – 34'
    • Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) – 75'
  • Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

What it means

The 1-1 draw keeps both Belgium and Egypt alive in the Group G race, leaving the next fixtures crucial as each side seeks to build on the points earned in Seattle.