Emam Ashour scored his first international goal as Egypt secured a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their opening Group G match at the World Cup on Monday. The midfielder put the Pharaohs ahead in the 19th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error, giving Egypt a rare lead in the tournament against a European heavyweight.

The match, held in Seattle, saw Egypt take an early advantage, marking only the second time the team has led in a World Cup game. Ashour’s goal energized the Egyptian side, who sought to maintain their position against a favored Belgian squad.

Belgium responded later in the match to level the score, preventing Egypt from securing what would have been a notable upset. The draw left both teams with one point as the group stage progressed.

Egypt’s performance demonstrated resilience against one of Europe’s traditional football powers, while Belgium’s ability to recover kept their campaign on track. Both teams looked to build on this result as they prepare for upcoming matches in Group G.