Imam Ashour’s first international goal gave Egypt the lead, before veteran Romelu Lukaku equalized with an own goal.
Published June 15, 2026
Romelu Lukaku took Egypt into his own goal within seconds of play in the World Cup’s first Group G match at Seattle Stadium, as favorites Belgium escaped with a 1-1 draw.
Lukaku’s equalizer came in the 66th minute, just 28 seconds into the game, and prevented Egypt from winning their first match in their fourth World Cup appearance on Monday.
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Midfielder Imam Ashour scored his first international goal with a great shot from 20 yards out, giving Egypt a 1-0 lead.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan chose to center Mohamed Salah on the legend’s 34th birthday, and the move worked brilliantly from the start. After receiving an early yellow card against Belgium, Salah played a clinical pass to defensive end Ashur.
With his first touch, Ashur took the shot with his right foot and, at a speed of 34km/h, sent it past the outstretched right arm of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The shot in the 19th minute, just before a water break, was Ashour’s first goal in 30 games for Egypt.
Courtois then made a great save in the 33rd minute, diving in the same direction to deny Mostafa Zico’s shot. Egypt had two shots on target in the first half, but Belgium failed to test Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shbir on any of his eight shots.
Belgium repeatedly attacked from the edge in the first half, but were unable to effectively threaten Schubil.
Things changed early in the second half, with Belgium increasing their pressure in the box as Egypt mounted several dangerous counter-attacks. Salah almost headed home in the 55th minute, but Courtois made a diving save.
Omar Marmouche then fired a shot from inside the box, but it went wide of the goal.
Belgium brought on Lukaku in the 66th minute to add more physicality. 23 seconds later, the Napoli striker ripped through two defenders with a cross from Thomas Meunier, and the ball hit the legs of Honey, who had pooled in front of Schubil, to force his way into his own goal.
Liverpool’s long-time star came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and Salah’s day was over.
