Belgium held by Egypt after quick Lukaku impact at World Cup

SEATTLE: Belgium salvaged a point against Egypt on Monday, drawing 1-1 at the World Cup after Romelu Lukaku's introduction quickly changed the match.

Lukaku was sent on in the 66th minute with Belgium behind 1-0. Within moments, he drove through the centre and moved toward a delivery from the right, but Egypt defender Mohamed Hany reached it first and turned the ball into his own net.

The leveller arrived just 23 seconds after Lukaku entered the game.

Egypt had gone in front in the 19th minute through Emam Ashour, who scored his first goal for the national team. Ashour, making his 30th appearance for Egypt, punished a lapse in Belgium's back line to give his side only its second lead in any World Cup match.

Egypt, appearing at the tournament for the fourth time, remains without a World Cup victory.

Belgium, who exited at the group stage in Qatar in 2022, have now gone three straight World Cup games without a win. Egypt created several openings to stretch their advantage but could not finish Belgium off, while Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne also had chances to put Belgium ahead.