00:01The Pacific Northwest of the United States of America hosts its first game of this FIFA World Cup 2026.
00:10Opening game. Amongst the replacements, Belgium's all-time top goal scorer, Romelu Del Kareem.
00:17He's only 18 years of age, but he's recently been signed permanently by Barthol, and this is Belgium against Egypt.
00:27Many of these fans, who've been up all night waiting, hard to sleep a wink in anticipation of this one.
00:35And no better city to be sleepless in than Seattle.
00:42Doku, sold on the Tillingham's, Kitilana, Kevin De Bruyne, a side to goal, and it's just narrowly off target.
00:52They've got so many quality players in forward areas.
00:59Egypt trusting their teammates in possession, but Onala eventually recaptures the ball for Belgium.
01:06He's been caught by Salah there.
01:10Ngoy.
01:12He's recomposed on the ball for Russell Young, and he's stripped there by Marvin Attia.
01:17That's going to be the first yellow card of the afternoon in Seattle.
01:21Broke the lines towards Belgium in that 4-4-2.
01:24That's exactly how Egypt's lining up as well, but he just steps in past that midfield.
01:33There's only been three World.
01:35And surely that's a foul by Castagne, and that's going to be a yellow card for him too.
01:45He knew that card was coming for that.
01:48They like to play in transition on the counter, Egypt's, and they've got two quality players.
01:53Salah.
01:54That's a good ball.
01:56Ashur!
01:57That's a brilliant finish!
02:02And now Ashur!
02:07Ashur!
02:08Ashur started on that left-hand side, but he's really clever.
02:10He drifts between the lines.
02:12He gets himself on the half-turn.
02:14His first touch is excellent, and what about...
02:19Timmons.
02:20Just too high for Mounier.
02:22Down goes Ashur.
02:23Kevin De Bruyne!
02:24Wouldn't have counted anyway.
02:26Free kick was given before the attempted goal.
02:29In search of a way back into the game.
02:31They're looking to push Thomas Mounier into the box more.
02:35Trossard drifting in off the right-hand side, leaving that space for Mounier to attack.
02:40Zico.
02:44And he's gone for goal himself!
02:47Courtois pushes it out for the corner.
02:51Up to this point has been the movement of Mo Salah, the way he's been drifting into midfield.
02:55He's scored in both of his first caps before today.
02:58He's nearly scored here in Seattle.
03:02When the challenge came in, the initial tackle was a good one.
03:11And they're using his hides to Cattellere.
03:14Jocko can't keep it down!
03:17At a major tournament for the first time.
03:22Mounier is going to sit up for Heine.
03:28Mounier Ibrahim unable to keep the ball in play.
03:32Great moment this.
03:34If Belgium were to concede a second, they'd be in enormous trouble.
03:37Courtois misses!
03:39Ngoy anywhere will do.
03:42Belgium under intense pressure as this first half comes to its conclusion.
03:48He's normally so good in the air.
03:50For the very first time, MM Assure's goal.
03:55Belgians fluffing their lines in this city.
03:57Seattle famous for its coffee.
04:00It's Egypt who are brewing so far.
04:03Belgium 0, Egypt 1 for now.
04:05Belgium here will be hoping that we are yet to see the best of them at Holland.
04:10Well, they need to improve.
04:12Belgium trying to find the spark that their opponents have been able to display.
04:16Doku gets a free kick.
04:19Big players often rise to the big moments.
04:26It is Kevin De Bruyne and he's hit the post!
04:30You cannot get any closer than that!
04:36What a strike.
04:38Up and over the wall.
04:40Not always easy when you're as close as that.
04:43Belgium are preparing to make some substitutions, but not until after this set-piece.
04:49Salah needed more elevation.
04:51Seiko just stepped back to ensure he was onside.
04:54And he manages to keep it in play up against Ngoy here.
04:58Early to Mahmouche.
05:00Can he get a shooting angle?
05:02Good defending by Mikula.
05:06Oh, but that's not good defending.
05:10Egypt temporarily here playing against ten men.
05:13Salah jumps! Saved by Courtois!
05:16Ashur!
05:20Probably had time to have a touch.
05:23Snatches at his effort.
05:25It's Salah arriving.
05:27It's a decent header into the ground and Courtois can only punch it.
05:30This is the conundrum for Belgium.
05:32They want to attack.
05:34They need an equaliser.
05:35But they certainly don't want to risk going to down.
05:38This is De Bruyne.
05:40This is Doku.
05:41Down he goes, but he went down in installments.
05:44And the referee waves away the protests.
05:47Went down a little easily.
05:49Great feet again.
05:52And I think...
05:56Get to Leire.
05:59Oh, he's done well.
06:01Tillemans though challenged by Marvin.
06:03Attia.
06:04Okay.
06:07Kevin De Bruyne.
06:08Under one by Fatih.
06:11Backhand with interest from...
06:13This is a big chance for Belgium.
06:15Oh, he's got a catalogue of long-range goals.
06:19Taken off him by Mounier.
06:21Kevin De Bruyne straight to the keeper.
06:25Serious question marks over his fitness coming into this tournament.
06:31Great ball in.
06:32Lukaku first touch!
06:35Oh, it's what dreams are made of!
06:39He's been a world-class striker.
06:42And his presence has meant that Belgium are back into this.
06:46I'm not sure that he's going to be awarded the goal.
06:48But look at him.
06:49Bustling in between two defenders.
06:52Tillemans and Mounier almost leaving it for each other there.
06:56Troisade.
06:57That's really clever.
06:58What a backheel.
06:59Mounier!
07:00The vision and the ability to pick out Mounier.
07:05And that inverted run from...
07:09Kuyper.
07:11Onto pressure.
07:13Now that is going to be a yellow card from Axan de Kuyper.
07:16An initial error.
07:17Trying to make up for it.
07:20Difficult angle to defend this.
07:24Lofted.
07:26Punched by Shabir.
07:28Still alive for Tillemans.
07:32Great hand!
07:33Oh, great save!
07:34Shabir!
07:35To deny Brandon Mekala!
07:38At the other end, Shabir has made a fantastic save to keep Egypt level.
07:44He moves his feet really well to get across the goal.
07:47An excellent save.
07:49Right, who's got the bravery here?
07:52Who wants it more?
07:54In a group that also contains Ziran and New Zealand to play later.
07:58Would a draw be okay for the two of them?
08:01Here's Zizo!
08:02Goes down!
08:03Right to the edge of the penalty area!
08:05And you can be sure the video assistant referee will be looking at this!
08:09De Kuyper, the video assistant referee has looked at this and it's check complete, no penalty.
08:22Adele, Marmouche, the video assistant referee did look at that penalty appeal but it's already a check complete, no penalty.
08:28This is Haney.
08:32Tillemans.
08:35And for a moment, Mekala had a decision to make and he opted for caution.
08:41There's still the chance that someone can grab the headlines here.
08:46Refresist playoff.
08:52Marmouche waiting in the middle.
08:53This is Ibrahim Edel.
08:58Took too long.
09:01Raskin.
09:03Any goal now wins the match.
09:06Hooked on!
09:07And hooked over Mekala again.
09:13Just too far in foot about Delcaire.
09:17Egypt are certainly not retreating into their shell.
09:21They are willing to throw everything at winning this themselves.
09:28Ibrahim Edelman.
09:28Mekala was sure gave Egypt the lead after 19 minutes.
09:32The equalizer was an own goal from Mohamed Haini.
09:36And this opening game in Group G in Seattle.
09:40On paper, this is the most difficult game in the group for the pair of them.
09:44It finishes Belgium 1, Egypt 1 in Seattle.
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