Egypt strike early as Emam Ashour fires 1-0 lead against Belgium

Egypt made a decisive start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign as they edged Belgium 1–0 in their Group G encounter, with Emam Ashour scoring the only goal of the match in the first half.

Ashour broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a composed finish from outside the box, marking his first-ever international goal and giving Egypt a crucial advantage against one of Europe’s top-ranked sides.

Belgium struggled to find rhythm after conceding early, as Egypt maintained a compact defensive shape and protected their lead with disciplined organisation throughout the match. Despite sustained possession from the Belgians, clear-cut chances remained limited.

The result gives Egypt a strong position in their opening group fixture as they aim for a historic push in the tournament, while Belgium are left searching for answers after a narrow opening defeat.

Ashour’s breakthrough strike also adds a significant milestone to his international career, arriving on one of football’s biggest stages and delivering Egypt an early boost in their World Cup journey.