Lukaku rescues Belgium in World Cup opener against Egypt

Belgium 1–1 Egypt, Garcia finds a lifeline

Your team walked away with a point, and that matters more than the performance. Belgium 1–1 Egypt in the Group G opener Monday night at Lumen Field in Seattle (6). Emam Ashour put Egypt ahead, and Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to drag you level (6) (8). Rudi Garcia kept it simple afterwards: "The important thing is that we stayed in the game. We managed to equalise thanks to a player who came off the bench, which shows just how important the whole squad is" (6).

Vanhaezebrouck questions the Vanaken call

Former Gent and Anderlecht coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck did not hold back. Subbing Amadou Onana off and leaving Hans Vanaken on the bench was, in his view, a risk (1). "The coach's explanation wasn't right, the choice was" (1). The midfield balance is already under the microscope one game in.

No panic, four reasons why

Nieuwsblad's chief football writer laid out four reasons Belgium fans should stay calm (5). Lukaku is fit and scoring. Garcia's bench produced the equaliser. The group is still wide open after Spain were held by Cape Verde (8) (9). And the defensive structure, Courtois behind it, held up when it needed to (5).

Reserves get a run-out Tuesday

The squad players who did not feature against Egypt will play a friendly on Tuesday to stay sharp for the rest of the group stage (4). Garcia wants everyone ready, the Egypt game proved he will use his bench.

Tzolis catches Arsenal's eye

Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis is on Arsenal's radar, with reports suggesting a £30m price tag (10). The 24-year-old Greek international has been one of the standout attackers in Belgium's domestic season. Nothing concrete yet, but it is a name worth tracking this summer (10).