Lukaku's late entry sparks Belgium's equalizer against Egypt in World Cup opener

Romelu Lukaku needed only 22 seconds to tilt Belgium’s World Cup opener back toward the danger zone for Egypt. Entering in the 65th minute at Lumen Field in Seattle, the veteran striker immediately transformed Belgium’s threat level, and Thomas Meunier’s cross soon forced Mohamed Hany into an own goal that sealed a 1-1 draw in front of 66,775 spectators.

Egypt had already shown why this Group G match would not be routine. Emam Ashour struck in the 18th minute, finishing a move set up by Mohamed Salah and giving Egypt a first-half lead that carried rare historical weight, with the African side reaching halftime ahead in a World Cup for the first time. Salah’s role in the opener added another layer to a match that felt wide open from the start.

Belgium, which arrived at the tournament after finishing third in Russia in 2018, spent much of the first hour searching for sharper final-ball precision. Kevin De Bruyne tried to steady the tempo, but Egypt’s compact defending and the burst of Ashour’s goal left Belgium chasing the game until Lukaku stepped off the bench. The substitution changed the rhythm instantly, with Lukaku’s presence on the end of Meunier’s right-sided delivery forcing the own goal that turned the match.

The closing stages underscored the same point: Belgium still leans heavily on Lukaku to turn pressure into breakthrough moments. Brandon Mechele had a header saved by Mostafa Shobeir, and Lukaku later sent a header over the bar, leaving Belgium with a point rather than a comeback win. Even without officially claiming the equalizer, Lukaku altered the match in a way no other Belgian attacker managed.

For Egypt, the draw extended a painful World Cup pattern. The team remained without a victory in the tournament after its fourth participation, even after holding the lead against one of Europe’s established powers. For Belgium, the result brought a point to open Group G, but also a familiar question: when the game tightens, how much of its solution still depends on one veteran forward stepping in at the right second?