Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup victory continues after frustrating draw with Belgium

RIYADH: Romelu Lukaku will not be a popular man in Egypt tonight. His quick-fire equalizing effort for Belgium, albeit officially recorded as a Mohammed Hany own goal, came just eight seconds after his introduction as a substitute, and it denied the Pharaohs what would have been their first-ever World Cup victory. Instead, the 92-year wait for a win continues.

Egypt frustrated and outplayed Belgium for more than an hour at Lumen Field in Seattle before the momentum of the game shifted following the equalizer. But while the result might feel disappointing given the way the match unfolded, few Egyptian fans would have turned down the offer of a draw before kickoff. Belgium are the highest-ranked side in the group, after all, and Egypt took a point off them — even if they were left wondering about what might have been.

The game began cautiously, with Egypt enjoying more of the ball and looking for combinations between Emam Ashour, Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Salah to help break through a disciplined Belgian defense.

A light man-to-man press was all coach Rudi Garcia instructed his Belgium side to employ under the shining Seattle sun. It almost paid off in the sixth minute when Kevin De Bruyne received the ball outside of the box and his effort narrowly curled past goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir’s post. But other than that, the early momentum belonged to Egypt.

Their dominance was quickly rewarded when, in the 20th minute, Salah picked out Ashour with a diagonal pass on the edge of the area and the midfielder, who had never previously scored for his country, struck the ball with confidence and power past Thibaut Courtois. 

Belgium, meanwhile, struggled to break through the Egyptian defense, with Jeremy Doku in particular