Romelu Lukaku proves key as Belgium salvage point against Egypt | OneFootball

Romelu Lukuku shrugged off fitness concerns to help spare Belgium’s embarrassment as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening match of the World Cup in Seattle.

Lukaku, his country’s record goalscorer, was introduced in the 66th minute and within seconds was involved in the move that saw Mohamed Hany prod in an own goal to bring the two-time semi-finalists back on level terms.

Egypt had started brightly and snatched the lead in the 20th minute when Emam Ashour lashed the ball past Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the box to give his side hope of a first ever win at a World Cup finals.

Belgium looked flat-footed for much of a first period in which they failed to fashion a shot on target, and the African side looked more likely to add to their lead with Mostafa Ziko bringing a fine save out of Courtois on the half-hour mark.

open image in gallery

Emam Ashour fired Egypt into the lead (Reuters)

The Red Devils stepped up the pace after the interval and came close to a leveller when Kevin De Bruyne lashed a free-kick against Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s right-hand post after a foul on Jeremy Doku.

Ashour snatched at a great chance to double Egypt’s advantage before Belgium came closer, Youri Tielemans lashing just wide from his side’s first corner on the hour mark, then De Bruyne scuffing at a fine chance from the centre of the box.

Lukaku, dubbed “out of shape” by Belgium coach Rudi Garcia despite including him in his World Cup squad last month, made an instant impact as he hustled the unfortunate Hany into poking the ball into his own net in the 66th minute.

Both sides pressed for a winner in an absorbing contest, with Shobeir acrobatically tipping away a drive from Brandon Mechele, and teenager Hamza Abdelkarim not far from connecting to Karim Hafez’s deep left-wing cross.

open image in gallery

Lukaku's presence in the box forced a defensive error and an equaliser for Belgium (AP)

"It was a good game for the whole team. The whole team wanted the three points, we got one point in the end but we gave it our all,” Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim told BBC One.

“We know Belgium are a good team, [they have] good quality players but we can't say it was the hardest game or easiest game, every game for us has got to be three points.

“The whole atmosphere was great, we need to thank them and we're waiting for the next match and an even better atmosphere.”