Lukaku forces own goal inside 25 seconds as Belgium draw 1-1 with Egypt in Seattle World Cup opener

Egypt strikes first

Mohamed Ashour put Egypt ahead in the 19th minute with a fierce right-footed strike from 20 metres that beat Thibaut Courtois. The goal came after Mohamed Salah fed Ashour on the right, and Egypt looked the more organised side for much of the first half. Ziko went close to a second, his angled shot pushed away by Courtois, while Marmoush also forced a save after a defensive error by Ngoy.

Belgium fruitless in attack

Rudi Garcia started with Charles De Ketelaere as a false nine and left Romelu Lukaku on the bench. Belgium lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Kevin De Bruyne behind the forward and Trossard and Doku on the wings. De Bruyne's early effort drifted wide, and Doku fired over from close range just before the interval. The attack lacked a focal point in the penalty area and struggled to mount sustained pressure.

Lukaku's instant impact

Garcia sent on Lukaku in the 66th minute, replacing De Ketelaere. Within about 25 seconds, a cross from the right found the Napoli striker sandwiched between two defenders. His presence forced Ahmed Hany into a desperate sliding clearance that ended in an own goal, levelling the match at 1-1. The momentum shifted immediately, and Belgium began to dominate possession.

Late drama without a winner

De Bruyne had already struck the post from a free kick in the 53rd minute, and in the 83rd minute Brandon Mechele's header was spectacularly saved by diving goalkeeper Shobeir. Egypt still threatened: Ashour wasted a golden chance after Courtois parried an earlier effort, and Marmoush remained dangerous on the break. Despite Belgium's late pressure, the scoreline held.

Group G and a near-record cameo

The draw leaves both teams on a point in Group G, which also includes Iran and New Zealand. Egypt, still without a World Cup victory in their history, came close to ending that wait. Had Lukaku's touch not been deemed an own goal, he would have entered the list of the fastest World Cup goals ever scored by a substitute. The record belongs to Richard Morales (16 seconds), with Ebbe Sand second at 21 seconds and Marcin Zewlakow third at 59 seconds. The top ten is shown below.