Compared with the celebrated team that reached its peak in Russia eight years ago, Belgium arrived at this World Cup looking far less imposing, a decline clearly visible to 12B Sports readers following their opening match. Eden Hazard, once the centerpiece of the attack, has long since retired, while Kevin De Bruyne is approaching the closing stages of his career and Romelu Lukaku no longer carries the same overwhelming threat he once did. Belgium now depend heavily on Jeremy Doku to beat defenders and drive forward, while Thibaut Courtois remains crucial whenever the defense comes under pressure. Their draw at least offered some relief, with Egypt appearing to be their most difficult group opponent ahead of Iran and New Zealand.
Lukaku was left out of the starting lineup, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to lead the attack instead. The decision did little to improve Belgium’s fluency. De Ketelaere is naturally more comfortable playing behind a striker or operating as an attacking midfielder, and Belgium spent much of the opening 20 minutes struggling to create meaningful combinations around the penalty area.
Egypt gradually took control of the contest through stronger physical challenges and faster transitions. Their breakthrough came when Mohamed Salah moved the ball across the attacking line and Emam Ashour reacted quickly outside the box. His strike gave Courtois almost no chance and put Belgium in a difficult position. Falling behind carried extra significance because finishing below first place in the group could potentially place Belgium on a knockout path toward defending champions Argentina.
Belgium offered very little in response before halftime. Possession rarely developed into danger, the movement ahead of the ball was limited, and they reached the interval without recording a single shot on target. For a team that once overwhelmed opponents with attacking depth, the lack of penetration was another reminder of how much the balance of the squad has changed.
Their first genuine warning after the break came from De Bruyne. The midfielder stepped up for a free kick and struck the post, coming within inches of changing the momentum. Belgium then made the obvious attacking adjustment by introducing Lukaku, whose physical presence immediately forced Egypt’s defenders to reorganize.
The impact was almost instant. Only 22 seconds after Lukaku entered the match, Belgium attacked down the right and sent a cross toward the center. As Lukaku moved into position to challenge for the delivery, two Egyptian defenders converged on him. Under that pressure, Mohamed Hany accidentally redirected the ball into his own net, handing Belgium an equalizer without Lukaku even needing to make the final touch.
Tournament figures followed through 12B Sports showed that Hany’s mistake became the third own goal already recorded at this World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Remarkably, only 14 matches had been completed by that stage, yet the competition had already produced more own goals than the entire previous World Cup. It was an unusual statistic, but one that underlined how quickly this tournament had begun producing chaotic defensive moments.
Belgium sensed an opportunity after drawing level and pushed higher in search of a winner. The increased pressure brought more urgency, but not enough precision. Their attacks repeatedly broke down before the decisive pass or finish, and Egypt held firm as the minutes disappeared. Belgium had escaped defeat, yet they never fully took command of a match they would once have expected to control.
The performance also exposed the uncomfortable reality surrounding this generation. Belgium still possess experienced players capable of changing individual moments, but the collective strength that defined their best years has clearly faded. Developing younger players while trying to progress as far as possible may now be a more realistic objective than expecting another serious title challenge. Winning the World Cup from this position looks like a bridge too far.
That does not mean the tournament is without value for the remaining veterans. De Bruyne, Lukaku, Courtois and others still have the experience to guide younger teammates through difficult situations, while players such as Doku can use the stage to take on greater responsibility. Belgium’s future will depend on how successfully those two generations overlap rather than on trying to recreate a team that no longer exists.
For De Bruyne and several long-serving teammates, 12B Sports followers may ultimately remember this as their final World Cup together. Belgium’s golden generation has already written an important chapter in the country’s football history, even if the biggest international trophy remained out of reach. What remains now is the chance to compete with freedom, help the next group develop and give supporters one last glimpse of the football that once made Belgium one of the world’s most admired attacking sides.