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Belgium escapes World Cup fiasco against Salah's birthday Egypt
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Belgium escapes World Cup fiasco against Salah's birthday Egypt

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Belgium narrowly avoided a World Cup debut disaster, securing a 1-1 draw against Egypt thanks to a late own goal forced by Romelu Lukaku.
  • Despite Lukaku's crucial intervention, Belgium's performance was largely uninspired, with Egypt dominating tactically and creating more dangerous chances.
  • Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several key saves to keep Belgium in the match before Lukaku's introduction changed the game.

Belgium's World Cup debut teetered on the brink of disaster before Romelu Lukaku's timely intervention secured a 1-1 draw against Egypt. The "Red Devils" struggled against the African side's intensity and relied heavily on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to avoid an early deficit.

With immense power in a difficult season, marked by 44 matches out due to injury between Napoli and his national team, Lukaku threw himself with everything at his first ball and forced the definitive 1-1, when the Egyptian Hany, hurried in the fight, ended up scoring an own goal.

— ABC ColorDescribing Romelu Lukaku's immediate impact after coming onto the field.

Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, entered the match in the 66th minute and, within 14 seconds, forced an own goal that salvaged a point. This moment of power came after a season marred by injuries for the striker, who had been sidelined for 44 matches.

Despite the late equalizer, Belgium's overall performance was lackluster. Egypt, celebrating Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday, displayed superior tactical awareness and intensity from the outset. Salah himself was instrumental, providing a pinpoint assist for Emam Ashour's opening goal, which beat Courtois.

Salah celebrates his birthday with an assist; Courtois avoids disaster

— ABC ColorHeadline summarizing key moments involving Salah and Courtois.

Courtois, whose international future is uncertain, was Belgium's standout player, making a miraculous save to deny Zico a second goal before halftime. Meanwhile, Belgian attackers like Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard failed to impress, and Kevin De Bruyne, despite his efforts, lacked support in midfield, even hitting the post with a free-kick.

If Belgium went into halftime with a minimal disadvantage, it was solely due to the Real Madrid goalkeeper. Courtois, who is considering if this World Cup will be his last appearance with the national team, held his team together with a miraculous low save, next to the far post, after a Zico shot that was already being celebrated as the second Egyptian goal.

— ABC ColorHighlighting Thibaut Courtois's crucial saves before halftime.

The second half saw Belgium improve and push forward, but Egypt remained a threat on the counter-attack. Ultimately, it was Lukaku's presence, rather than a direct goal, that prevented a disappointing start to Belgium's World Cup campaign.

De Bruyne rowed alone until the 'Beast' entered

— ABC ColorDescribing Kevin De Bruyne's solitary efforts in midfield before Lukaku's arrival.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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