Big Rom to the rescue! Lukaku helps Belgium earn draw with Egypt

Belgium Egypt player ratings GFX

Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to help Belgium avoid defeat in their World Cup opener, with the veteran striker playing a pivotal role in Mohamed Hany putting through his own net to earn the Red Devils a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle. More to follow...

Belgium v Egypt: Group G - FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (4/10):

An incredibly dodgy display from the Real Madrid No.1, who, on top of being beaten from distance by Ashour, flapped at one corner and made a total mess of trying to parry a Mohamed Salah header to safety.

Thomas Meunier (5/10):

The right-back's positioning on Ashour's strike was absolutely dreadful, with Meunier guilty of giving him far too much space but he made amends by forcing the own goal with a dangerous cross and also went close to scoring himself in the closing stages.

Nathan Ngoy (4/10):

Lucky to get away with giving the ball straight to Omar Marmoush during the first half - and a push on the same player in the penalty area in the second half after being beaten far too easily in the middle of the park.

Brandon Mechele (5/10):

Decent on the ball and made a couple of strong tackles but didn't really inspire confidence overall, as the movement of Egypt's forward line caused him problems too.

Timothy Castagne (4/10):

Given the right-back was on a booking from the 14th minute for hauling down Salah, it was something of a surprise that Garcia waited until the second half to take him off.

Belgium v Egypt: Group G - FIFA World Cup 2026

Midfield

Amadou Onana (3/10):

An anonymous display from the Aston Villa man, who was hauled off before the hour mark after failing miserably to impose himself on the game.

Youri Tielemans (6/10):

Unusually ineffective in the first half but grew in influence after the break - perhaps inspired by a well-struck volley that whistled just wide - and it was the Aston Villa playmaker who released Meunier in the build-up to the goal.

Belgium v Egypt: Group G - FIFA World Cup 2026

Attack

Leandro Trossard (5/10):

The back-heeled through-ball for Meunier was outstanding but Trossard didn't offer anything like the same attacking threat as his right-back.

Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):

As ever, looked the man most likely to make something happen for Belgium but he saw a fine free-kick strike the outside of the post before later shooting weakly when well-placed.

Jeremy Doku (5/10):

Caused some problems with his pace and dribbling skills but his finishing once again let him down when the ball dropped nicely for him in the first half.

Charles De Ketelaere (3/10):

A really poor performance from the Atalanta attacker, who created just once chance and didn't manage a single shot. Could well be dropped for Belgium's next game.

Belgium v Egypt: Group G - FIFA World Cup 2026

Subs & Manager

Maxim De Cuyper (6/10):

Came on for Castagne shortly after the interval but promptly picked up a yellow card himself.

Nicolas Raskin (6/10):

Took over in midfield from Onana in the 56th minute and definitely helped Belgium gain a foothold in the game.

Romelu Lukaku (7/10):

May not have scored the equaliser but it's fair to say that 'Big Rom' made his presence felt.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo (N/A):

Only came on for the final five minutes.

Hans Vanaken (N/A):

Part of a double-substitution with Fernandez-Pardo.

Rudi Garcia (6/10):

Belgium were dreadful flat in the first half - and that's on the manager - but, credit to Garcia, his team were much better after the break and his decision to throw on a half-fit Lukaku paid off.