SEATTLE, June 15 — Belgium came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Egypt in their World Cup opener early this morning, with the second-half introduction of record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku forcing the own goal that salvaged a point for his side.
Egypt opened the scoring against the run of play in the 19th minute through a powerful strike by midfielder Emam Ashour for his first international goal.
Belgium squandered several opportunities to equalise, with Jeremy Doku slicing horribly wide just before the break and Kevin De Bruyne rattling the post from a free kick as Egypt's hopes of a first World Cup victory at their fourth finals grew.
However, Lukaku, who endured an injury-ravaged season with Italian side Napoli, came on in the 66th minute and, some 20 seconds later, Belgium were level, with the unfortunate Mohamed Hany turning a dangerous cross into his own net.
Either side could have won it late on as Egypt refused to settle for a point, while Lukaku missed a golden opportunity to head home the winner with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hailed Lukaku's instant impact and remained positive, although the draw gives Sunday's clash against Iran in Los Angeles greater significance.
"We're still in the competition, foot in the door, but now obviously we have to win against Iran," he said.
Lukaku saves Belgium's blushes
Both sides unsurprisingly began cautiously, but Belgium soon took control, with De Bruyne missing the game's first real chance when he dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Just as they appeared to be gaining the upper hand, Egypt took the lead when captain Mo Salah, playing in a deeper central role on his 34th birthday, found Ashour, who fired past Thibaut Courtois at full stretch.
Belgium stepped up the pressure as half-time approached, but Leandro Trossard completely missed the ball from a cutback by Doku, who should have levelled in added time.
De Bruyne's free kick early in the second half beat goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir but not the post, while Egypt missed chances to extend their lead as Belgium increasingly lived dangerously in pursuit of an equaliser.
The introduction of Lukaku, who played little more than an hour for Napoli this season, ultimately proved decisive and Garcia conceded that Belgium remain reliant on the striker.
"We know how he can be difficult for the opponent and we needed him to come on," he said.
Lukaku, however, showed his lack of match sharpness when he headed fellow substitute Nicolas Raskin's cross over the bar from close range with the goal gaping.
Egypt had a late penalty appeal in a frantic finish when Ahmed Mostafa "Zizo" went down under contact from Maxim De Cuyper, but the referee waved play on.
Hassan, however, insisted the decision was incorrect.
"What surprises me is that there was no VAR review and the referee didn't even consider going back to check it or stopping play," he said. "That was a 100% penalty. If it had been against us, it would have been given."
