Romelu Lukaku makes instant impact to secure draw against Egypt

By PA Sports Staff

Romelu Lukaku shrugged off fitness concerns to help spare Belgium’s embarrassment as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening match of the World Cup in Seattle.

Lukaku, his country’s record goalscorer, was introduced in the 66th minute and within seconds was involved in the move that saw Mohamed Hany prod in an own goal to bring the two-time semi-finalists back on level terms.

Egypt had started brightly and snatched the lead in the 20th minute when Emam Ashour lashed the ball past Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the box to give his side hope of a first-ever win at a World Cup finals.

Belgium looked flat-footed for much of a first period in which they failed to fashion a shot on target, and the African side looked more likely to add to their lead with Mostafa Ziko bringing a fine save out of Courtois on the half-hour mark.

Belgium stepped up the pace after the interval and came close to a leveller when Kevin De Bruyne lashed a free-kick against Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s right-hand post after a foul on Jeremy Doku.

Ashour snatched at a great chance to double Egypt’s advantage before Belgium came closer, Youri Tielemans lashing just wide from his side’s first corner on the hour mark, then De Bruyne scuffing at a fine chance from the centre of the box.

Lukaku, dubbed “out of shape” by Belgium coach Rudy Garcia despite including him in his World Cup squad last month, made an immediate impact as he hustled the unfortunate Hany into poking the ball into his own net in the 66th minute.

Both sides pressed for a winner in an absorbing contest, with Shobeir acrobatically tipping away a drive from Brandon Mechele, and teenager Hamza Abdelkarim not far from connecting to Karim Hafez’s deep left-wing cross.

Belgium coach Garcia paid tribute to both sides after an entertaining clash, saying: “The opening match of a competition like the World Cup is always a tough one, especially against one of Africa’s top teams like Egypt.

“We managed to equalise thanks to a player who came off the bench, which shows just how important the whole squad is. We had chances to win it, but their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves. It was a great game between two very good teams.”

Egypt striker Abdelkarim said: ‘We got one point at the end, but we gave it our all.

“We know Belgium are a good team with good quality players, but we can’t say it was the hardest or the easiest game – every game is about three points.”