Egypt were denied a first-ever World Cup win after Romelu Lukaku forced an own-goal equaliser just seconds after coming on to rescue a 1-1 draw for Belgium in their Group G opener.<\/p>\n
Emam Ashour’s superb 19th-minute opener from distance in the searing Seattle heat gave Egypt their first World Cup half-time lead.<\/p>\n
But the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners could not hold on to end their 92-year wait for a first win at the tournament as Belgium’s all-time top scorer Lukaku made an immediate impact off the bench.<\/p>\n
Just 22 seconds after coming on, the Napoli striker forced a Mohamed Hany own goal from Thomas Meunier’s cross.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n Image:<\/span> \n Egypt’s Emam Ashour (left) celebrates scoring a fine opener \n <\/span> \n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Belgium then nearly completed the turnaround, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier superbly saved Brandon Mechele’s header, while Lukaku headed over a late chance.<\/p>\n
An exciting end-to-end contest at Seattle Stadium saw veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah face off, with both having their moments.<\/p>\n
On his 34th birthday, Salah gifted Ashour his fine opener to become the first African player on record (since 1966) to register a World Cup goal involvement on their birthday.<\/p>\n
But De Bruyne did his best to spoil the former Liverpool star’s big day as he hit the post with a second-half free-kick before having Belgium’s first shot on target as he sparked the Red Devils into life.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old, though, needed his Napoli team-mate Lukaku to help salvage a point off the bench as Belgium face Iran next while Egypt take on New Zealand.<\/p>\n
The key moments from Seattle…<\/h3>\n
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\n \n <\/div>\n Image:<\/span> \n Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne (left) came close to scoring in Seattle \n <\/span> \n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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20: GOAL!<\/strong> Ashour hammers home a fine opener for his first Egypt goal.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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33: SAVE!<\/strong> Courtois superbly saves Zico’s low shot across goal to deny Egypt a second.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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45+1: MISS!<\/strong> Doku blazes his close-range volley over as Belgium fail to have a shot on target in the first half.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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53: OFF THE POST! <\/strong>De Bruyne hits a free-kick that bends onto the wrong side of the post.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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55: IT SHOULD BE 2-0! <\/strong>Courtois pushes Salah’s header straight to Ashour, but he lashes wide.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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63: BIG CHANCE!<\/strong> De Bruyne has Belgium’s first shot on target but he places it straight at the goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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66: OWN GOAL EQUALISER!<\/strong> Instant impact from Lukaku just 22 seconds forces a Mohamed Hany own goal.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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82: TOP SAVE! <\/strong>Egypt goalkeeper Shobeir denies Mechele’s header at full stretch.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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