Belgium take on Egypt in the opening game of World Cup Group G in Seattle this evening, with a win putting either side in control of the group early on.
The Red Devils come into the tournament with a talented squad but many feel the opportunity might have been and gone as the remainder of the nation’s golden generation have one final shot at international glory.
As for Egypt, Mo Salah and co. head into the game looking for their first ever win at a World Cup finals, with the Pharaohs knowing that a win this evening would put them in a great position to make the knockout rounds for the first time.
Follow all of the latest from the Group G clash with our live blog below:
One to look out for
Hamza Abdelkarim
Egypt only named three ‘forwards’ in their squad: Salah, Marmoush and 18-year-old Abdelkarim.
His career is highly unorthodox so far: FC Kuala Lumpur, Al Ahly, Barcelona Under-19s. Made his debut last month; tipped for big things.
Egypt’s star man
Still the star man despite a disappointing season at Liverpool, his last at Anfield.
Will be desperate to impose his creativity and goalscoring nous on the biggest stage.
How good will Egypt be?
Could this be Mohamed Salah’s moment to dazzle at a World Cup?
In 2018, the Egypt captain cruelly had his time in Russia impacted by a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He played, he even scored in both games he featured in, but did not star in a way that was fathomable if he was fully fit. Four years ago, Egypt did not qualify.
Yet their chances of progression to the knockout phase here are strong. They reached the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, narrowly losing to Senegal, and will play on the counter-attack with Salah and Omar Marmoush (the only other English-based player) speeding away. It’ll all be about whether they can keep it tight at the back.
One to look out for
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
The 21-year-old forward, who has impressed for Lille this season, has endured an interesting year or so on the international front.
Last February, having represented Belgium at youth level, he switched allegiance to Spain and was called up to their under-21 and under-20 squads.
However, he did not play once and, last month, switched back to Belgium.
Belgium’s star man
Jeremy Doku
After a breakout season with Manchester City, Doku has the opportunity to set this tournament alight early on.
Quick feet have been matched by a long-heralded end product for City, which has also included some scintillating finishes. The 24-year-old is, however, yet to score at a major tournament.
How are Belgium shaping up?
Has the moment come and gone for Belgium’s golden generation? A squad that, despite much hype, failed to reach the final of a major tournament? Perhaps so.
There are still remnants of that squad which reached the semi-finals in 2018: Thibaut Courtois remains one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Kevin De Bruyne is no longer at his peak but is still a potential difference-maker in midfield and Romelu Lukaku is included in this squad despite barely playing all season amid an injury-hit campaign at Napoli.
However, they’ve been dealt a relatively kind hand with their group. In fact, their passage to the quarter-finals looks decent if they top the group. This year, expect Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard – Premier League title-rivalling wingers now on the same side – to be key cogs in Belgium’s attacking machine.
Iran and USA on a collision course?
Belgium are the group favourites, but Egypt and Iran could battle it out for second place in the final match of the group which, somewhat bafflingly, is also the World Cup’s ‘Pride Match’ taking place on Seattle Pride weekend. Baffling, because both nations are traditionally anti-LGBTQ+.
And the biggest potential shock of them all? If Iran finish second and the USA finish second in Group D (scenarios which are not out of the realm of possibility), the countries at war will face each other in the round of 32 in Dallas on 3 July.
Group G guide
On paper, this group should not rattle many cages. Belgium should emerge as comfortable group winners, followed by one of Iran or Egypt, with the lowest-ranked team at this year’s World Cup, New Zealand, coming last. Yet the hard facts are that, frankly, this group will play host to the most significant early encounters at this summer’s tournament, amid an unprecedented scenario in international football.
For the first time in the World Cup’s 96-year history, a competing nation is participating despite being at war with a co-host. The conflict between Iran and the United States, which officially started in late February, shows no signs of relenting despite numerous peace talks and proposals. As such, Iran have moved their base to Mexico and their playing squad have only been given visas to the US (with two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle) for the day of the game. Fly in, play, fly out.
How to watch Belgium vs Egypt
Belgium versus Egypt is the first game from Group G and takes place at the Seattle Stadium over on the United States’ west coast.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST and will be broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Good evening!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s World Cup action as Belgium and Egypt clash in the Group G opener.
This is a encounter which should fascinate supporters and could determine which team finishes at the top of the group.
Group G also hosts Iran and New Zealand so these two teams are the favourites to progress at the top of the table.
Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah will face each other one more harking back to their clashes when they played for Man City and Liverpool respectively.
We’ll see how this all plays out when the game kicks off at 8pm.
