Lukaku seizes spotlight from Salah, De Bruyne in B...
Key takeaways
- Kevin De Bruyne, it was another legendary name whose influence was arguably most profound.
- Heavily favored Belgium were struggling for inspiration against Egypt before Romelu Lukaku conjured up a crucial equalizer without even touching the ball.
- Described by head coach Rudi Garcia as being "out of shape" on the eve of the tournament, Lukaku's introduction proved decisive as Belgium held Egypt to a 1-1 draw to get their campaign underway.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Kevin De Bruyne, it was another legendary name whose influence was arguably most profound.
Heavily favored Belgium were struggling for inspiration against Egypt before Romelu Lukaku conjured up a crucial equalizer without even touching the ball. Just 23 seconds after his introduction in the second half at Seattle Stadium, the veteran striker forced his way between two opposition defenders and employed some smart movement to prompt Mohamed Hany to divert the ball into his own net.
Described by head coach Rudi Garcia as being "out of shape" on the eve of the tournament, Lukaku's introduction proved decisive as Belgium held Egypt to a 1-1 draw to get their campaign underway. It was a fitting contribution on an afternoon when a number of great players began to write what might yet prove to be their final World Cup stories.