Belgium and Egypt fought to a draw in the the opening game of World Cup Group G in Seattle this evening.
The Red Devils almost took the lead early one through Kevin de Bruyne only for the influential midfielder to pull his effort wide, before Emam Ashour’s stunning strike from the edge of the box beat Thibaut Courtois and sent the Pharaohs into the lead.
With Belgium stressing to equalise, Rudi Garcia turned to Romelu Lukaku and introduced the striker off the bench withn 20 minutes to play. Lukaku’s first involvement was to pile pressure on the centre-backs as the ball came in from the right with a decisive touch from Mohamed Hany bringing an own goal and a levelled game.
Both sides pressed for a winner late on before couldn’t strike the decisive blow and claim all the points.
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Draw a fair result in Seattle
“I believe that the Egyptians today were outstanding. Belgium took time to get in the game. A lot of quality from both sides and right until the whistle blew they were both trying to win it,” says Dion Dublin on BBC.
“I think this being my second game, I’ve noticed that it does slow down because the heat out there takes energy away from these players.
“[It was a] good game to watch and a draw is about right,” he added.
FULL-TIME! Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Belgium have failed to win in their last three games in the World Cup, their last longer winless streak was from 29 June 1994 to 10 June 2002, a run of seven games.
FULL-TIME! Belgium 1-1 Egypt
The referee blows the final whistle and it’s ended in a draw in Seattle!
On balance it was probably the fair result, though Egypt will be gutted they didn’t take their first ever World Cup win.
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
90 +4 mins
Belgium win a free-kick on the left and Tielemans delivers a great ball in, but Mechele can only direct a clever effort over the bar!
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
90 +2 mins
We’re into five minutes of added time here.
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Late subs for Egypt as Hafez and Adel come on for Fatouh and Fathy.
Egypt want a free-kick/penalty as Zizo is man-handled on the edge of the area, but the referee waves it away!
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
CLOSE! Meunier clips in a great ball and Lukaku is unmarked eight yards out. He rises highest but can’t direct his header on target!
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Some subs for Belgium as De Bruyne and Doku make way for Vanaken and Fernandez-Pardo.
