• Alireza Beiranvand makes a stunning save to keep Belgium at bay
• Nathan Ngoy sent off for denying Mehdi Taremi a clear goalscoring chance
• Iran compete despite travel problems from their base in Mexico
• Romelu Lukaku starts for Belgium after injury troubles
• Goalless result leaves both sides needing results in final group games

Iran’s goalkeeper produced the save of the match to earn his country a vital point against Belgium. Alireza Beiranvand denied the Europeans with an incredible stop just before the hour mark that could help Iran reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

The Iranian keeper had already dived to his left to intercept a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne. While scrambling on the turf, he somehow stretched out his left hand to block Maxim De Cuyper’s close-range effort. Belgium later had Nathan Ngoy sent off for pulling down Mehdi Taremi when the striker was through on goal.

Belgium faced problems before kick-off. Jérémy Doku missed the match through illness, forcing manager Rudi Garcia to make four changes. Romelu Lukaku started up front despite playing only 40 minutes for Napoli last season due to hamstring injuries. The striker nearly scored early on but received a yellow card for catching Beiranvand with his studs while stretching for the ball.

Iran also faced huge difficulties away from the pitch. The team had to stay in Tijuana, Mexico, because several officials were denied entry to the United States. They flew into Los Angeles less than 24 hours before the match started. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei complained that his players had trained only half as much as planned due to the travel chaos.

Tensions rose further when Iran’s football federation accused US officials of spreading false news about team members having links to the Revolutionary Guard. The Iranians believe they are the most poorly treated team at the tournament.

During the match, Iran thought they had scored when Taremi finished a clever free-kick routine, but the video assistant referee ruled the goal offside. Belgium dominated possession but could not break down a determined Iranian defence. De Bruyne shone in patches and created several chances, yet his team could not find the net. The Manchester City star gave the ball away in a dangerous area late on, allowing Saeid Ezatolahi to test Thibaut Courtois with a powerful drive.

The result leaves Belgium facing a nervous wait to see if they can avoid another group stage exit, following their disappointment four years ago.

• Emam Ashour gave Egypt a 19th-minute lead with a superb long-range strike
• Romelu Lukaku forced an own goal just 22 seconds after coming off the bench to secure a 1-1 draw
• Mohamed Salah provided the assist while playing in a new central role on his 34th birthday
• The result means Egypt still search for their first-ever World Cup win after 92 years of trying
• Kevin De Bruyne hit the post with a second-half free kick for Belgium

Egypt remain without a World Cup victory in their history after Belgium snatched a late equaliser in their Group G clash at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. The Red Devils needed just 22 seconds of Romelu Lukaku’s introduction to force an own goal and rescue a 1-1 draw in front of 66,775 fans.

The seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions appeared set to end their long wait for a win at the tournament when Emam Ashour fired a superb long-range effort past Thibaut Courtois in the 19th minute. The strike came from an assist by Mohamed Salah, who was celebrating his 34th birthday with a new central playmaking role.

Belgium struggled to create clear chances during the opening period. Jeremy Doku missed a close-range volley before half-time, while Kevin De Bruyne struck the woodwork from a free kick after the break. The Manchester City midfielder also forced a save from Mostafa Shobier, who later denied Brandon Mechele with an excellent stop.

The decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute. Thomas Meunier delivered a cross from the right, and substitute Lukaku’s presence caused Mohamed Hany to turn the ball into his own net. The Napoli striker nearly won it late on but headed over the crossbar.

Salah’s assist made him the first African player since records began in 1966 to register a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday. Egypt manager Hossam Hassan deployed the former Liverpool star as a number ten, allowing Mostafa Zico to operate on the right flank.

The result leaves Egypt facing New Zealand next, while Belgium will take on Iran in their second group match.

• Belgium and Egypt begin their World Cup journey in Group G on Monday evening
• Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah could face each other for the final time
• Both stars overcame difficult spells at Chelsea to become Premier League icons
• Salah holds a superior head-to-head record with ten wins from nineteen meetings
• The match carries extra significance as both players turn thirty-four during the tournament

Two giants of English football will share the same pitch on Monday night when Belgium face Egypt in their opening World Cup match. Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah have defined the Premier League era for nearly a decade. Now they meet on the world stage in what could be their final showdown.

The Group G fixture kicks off in North America on Monday evening. Both players will be thirty-four years old when the ball starts rolling. While neither has retired from international football, this World Cup likely represents their last opportunity to shine at the highest level.

Their career paths share remarkable similarities. Both men arrived at Chelsea during January transfer windows, yet neither found success at Stamford Bridge. De Bruyne made only nine appearances for the London club, while Salah featured in nineteen matches. Managers sent them on loan to Werder Bremen and Fiorentina before permanent moves to Wolfsburg and Roma transformed their fortunes.

Their second seasons in Germany and Italy proved career-changing. De Bruyne contributed to forty-four goals in fifty-six matches. Salah managed thirty-three goal involvements in forty-one games. These performances attracted Manchester City and Liverpool. The rest became history.

Between them, they have collected numerous trophies. Salah lifted the Champions League with Liverpool and claimed four Premier League Golden Boots. De Bruyne won multiple titles with City and matched Salah’s individual haul with assist records. The Egyptian set the record for most goals in a thirty-eight-game season with thirty-two strikes. The Belgian equalled Thierry Henry’s assist record of twenty in a single campaign.

Despite City’s domestic dominance during this period, Salah holds the advantage in their personal battles. The Liverpool legend has defeated De Bruyne’s teams ten times from nineteen encounters. The Belgian has managed only five victories. Their sole international meeting ended in Egyptian success four years ago during a World Cup warm-up match.

This rivalry lacks hatred. Both players speak highly of each other. When De Bruyne left Manchester City in 2025, Salah praised his contribution to English football. The Belgian midfielder has previously described Salah as “unbelievable” for his goal-scoring achievements.

Belgium enter this tournament with doubts. De Bruyne admitted in 2022 that the squad was “too old” to win the competition. While younger players like Jeremy Doku have emerged, the team lacks the quality of their 2018 “golden generation.”

Egypt face different pressure. The seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners have never progressed beyond the group stages with Salah in their ranks. Their best World Cup finish remains the Round of Sixteen from 1934. Matching this achievement would mark significant progress for the North African side.

Neither player remains at their peak. De Bruyne has battled injuries recently, while Salah posted his worst goal return for a decade last season. However, both can still produce moments of magic. Salah recently broke the record for most goal involvements at a single Premier League club.

Monday’s match offers more than three points. It provides a final chapter in one of football’s most respectful rivalries. Kenyan fans who have followed their Premier League battles for years will witness these legends write their final World Cup stories.

• Egypt chase their first World Cup win in 92 years of competition history
• Mohamed Salah sits two goals shy of Hossam Hassan’s all-time scoring record
• The Liverpool forward carries a hamstring worry ahead of the Belgium clash
• The Pharaohs qualified easily via the new 48-team tournament format
• Hossam Hassan manages the squad he once captained as record goalscorer

Egypt’s largest telecom firm Orange recently broadcast humorous adverts starring national team players Ahmed Fatouh, Rami Rabia and Hossam Abdelmaguid. The sketches show family members mocking their optimism about reaching the knockouts. This self-deprecating humour captures the national mood.

The Pharaohs hold seven Africa Cup of Nations titles. However, they have lost all seven World Cup matches across three previous visits. While other African nations target Morocco’s 2022 semi-final feat, Egypt simply crave one victory.

Qualifying for the expanded 48-team finals proved straightforward. Salah drove the campaign with nine goals and three assists. The 34-year-old arrives in North America as a completed footballer. Since the 2018 tournament in Russia, he has won every major honour with Liverpool.

Injury clouds hover again. A damaged shoulder limited him in 2018. Now a hamstring problem threatens his sharpness. Happily, the issue appears less severe than six years ago, when teammates helped him pull on a training shirt.

Coach Hossam Hassan admits the side depends heavily on their captain. Salah could also break Hassan’s scoring record during the tournament. The manager expects his star to deliver in crucial moments.

Egypt face Belgium in their opening match on Monday. The squad understands the weight of 92 years of failure. Yet Salah offers genuine hope that history might finally change.