Belgium rescued a point in a breathless World Cup meeting with Egypt, the contest ignited by the second-half introduction of Romelu Lukaku after Mohamed Salah had orchestrated a deserved Egyptian lead. On his 34th birthday, Salah operated from a deeper central role and found Ashour with a precise pass; the midfielder struck low beyond Thibaut Courtois at full stretch to put Egypt in front. Belgium grew into the half, but their finishing deserted them. Jeremy Doku drove to the byline and cut back perfectly for Leandro Trossard, who swung and missed from close range, before Doku himself failed to convert a promising chance in first-half stoppage time. The pattern continued after the interval. Kevin De Bruyne’s dipping free kick beat goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir but not the upright, cannoning away off the post. Egypt threatened on transitions and carved out opportunities to extend their advantage, yet could not find the decisive second as Belgium pushed bodies forward and began to live dangerously in search of an equaliser. Coach Garcia turned to Lukaku, who has played little more than an hour for Napoli this season, and the change shifted the game’s tone. The striker’s presence pinned back Egypt’s centre-backs, brought teammates into play and repeatedly unsettled the visitors’ back line. One glaring moment summed up his rustiness when he met fellow substitute Nicolas Raskin’s teasing cross but headed over with the goal gaping. Even so, the pressure he created underpinned Belgium’s late leveller, ensuring the spoils were shared after a compelling, end-to-end contest. The closing stages delivered controversy. Egypt appealed for a late penalty when Mostafa Zico went down under contact from Maxim De Cuyper, but the referee waved play on. Hassan was furious with the decision and the lack of a review: “What surprises me is that there was no VAR review and the referee didn’t even consider going back to check it or stopping play. That was a 100% penalty. If it had been against us, it would have been given.” Garcia acknowledged Belgium’s reliance on their centre-forward: “We know how he can be difficult for the opponent and we needed him to come on,” he said, praising Lukaku’s impact despite limited minutes this season. Belgium will take encouragement from phases of fluent combination play, while Egypt can take pride in Salah’s orchestration and a disciplined shape that for long spells held the upper hand. A lively draw leaves both with lessons and confidence for the World Cup road ahead.