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Egypt holds Belgium as debutant Cape Verde draws Spain in historic opener – THIS UPDATE

Egypt produced one of its most memorable FIFA World Cup performances on Monday, drawing Belgium 1-1 in their opening Group G match at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The Pharaohs looked on course for a famous victory after Emam Ashour gave them the lead in the 19th minute with a stunning shot from outside the penalty area.

The goal, Ashour’s first for the Egyptian national team, capped an impressive first-half performance by the North Africans.

Going into the match, Egypt had never won a FIFA World Cup match and had spent only 29 minutes leading in World Cup history. Ashour’s breakthrough therefore represented a significant moment for a team looking to rewrite its record in the tournament.

Belgium responded strongly after the break and came close to equalizing in the 53rd minute when captain Kevin De Bruyne deflected a free kick past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, only for the attempt to crash into the post.

The Red Devils finally equalized in the 66th minute, moments after Romelu Lukaku came onto the pitch.

Thomas Meunier raced down the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the area, with Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany inadvertently deflecting the ball into his own net under pressure.

Despite Belgium’s growing urgency, neither team could find a winner in an entertaining encounter that ended with distinction.

The result leaves Group G well in the balance ahead of the second round of matches. Belgium will travel to Los Angeles to face Iran, while Egypt will head to Vancouver where they will meet New Zealand.

For Egypt, however, the draw will feel like another step forward, with the Pharaohs proving they can compete against one of world football’s established powers on the biggest stage.

In another thrilling match, newcomers Cape Verde produced one of the most impressive results of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after claiming a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Spain in their opening Group H match.

The Blue Sharks produced a disciplined and resilient performance to frustrate one of the game’s traditional powerhouses, securing a result that will be celebrated as a landmark moment in the nation’s footballing history.

Spain controlled possession for long periods from kick-off, dictating the pace with their trademark passing game and patiently looking for gaps in the Cape Verdean defence.

Despite spending much of the first half without the ball, Cape Verde remained well organized and compact, limiting Spain’s ability to create clear-cut chances.

Their defensive structure proved effective as both sides entered a stalemate in the second half.

The pressure intensified after the break as Spain came forward in greater numbers in search of the winning goal.

However, Cape Verde continued to defend with determination, while goalkeeper Vozinha made several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Spain introduced new attacking options in the latter stages and increased the intensity of their attacks, but Cape Verde’s rearguard remained firm.

The underdogs showed remarkable composure under pressure, repelling every Spanish advance.

As the match entered its final moments, Spain threw more players into attack, but Cape Verde refused to relent, holding on to take a memorable point against one of the tournament favourites.

While Spain will consider the result a missed opportunity, the draw highlighted the difficulty of breaking down a disciplined and organized opponent.

The European team is expected to improve their attacking efficiency in the upcoming matches.

For Cape Verde, however, the result represents a significant achievement and statement of intent on the world stage.

Their performance proved that they are capable of competing with elite opponents and could prove to be tough opponents throughout the tournament.

The result leaves both teams with one point in Group H, with Cape Verde gaining confidence ahead of the remaining matches and Spain looking for a stronger response in their next match.



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